Rev. Al Sharpton participates in rally to confront Newark violence
Published: Saturday, January 22, 2011, 12:32 AM Updated: Saturday, January 22, 2011, 1:30 PM
Rev. Al Sharpton spoke at a rally Friday night in Newark in an effort to bring community organizations together to halt a recent spate of violence.Speaking to hundreds of listeners at the Wisommm Sanctuary on Central Avenue, Sharpton said, "The police are not going to save them, the FBI are not going to save them. We have to save them ourselves.
"They are our children."
Dubbed a "Family Town Meeting," the event was a call for unity among community and religious groups.
Bashir Akinyele, a member of the city’s anti-violence coalition that organized the rally, said afterward that churches and community organizations have not been united on the issue.
Sharpton, in a 10-minute talk, told the audience that Newarkers had to unite around the issue of combatting violence, and leave behind personal differences, before there can be any progress.
"What this gathering needs to do is connect us," he said.
Earlier in the evening, panel discussions raised subjects ranging from mentoring programs, the need for resources for grassroots organizations and to the importance of setting role models for young people.
Given the opportunity to speak, members of the public spoke out loudly on many issues, ranging from government to murdered family members. They called for answers for issues from how to communicate best with the Essex County Prosecutor’s office in solving homicides, to getting involved in anti-violence efforts.
"The people of Newark have had enough," said 41-year-old Newark resident Sulaimun Jenkins.
Earlier this week, Sharpton opened a chapter in Newark of his National Action Network, which will focus on improving education.
Five of Essex County’s seven homicides this year have been in Newark. There were 85 homicides in Newark last year, marking the second consecutive year killings rose in the city.
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