The gospel choir’s voices echoed through Cramton Auditorium, their blue and white robes swaying as they filled Howard University's historic venue with spiritual melodies. Just a week after classes resumed at the prestigious HBCU, Rev. Al Sharpton took the stage to deliver a sermon that was equal parts spiritual guidance and a political rallying cry.
Reverend Al Sharpton meets with Howard University students ahead of Thursday's March on Wall Street.
Rather than gathering in the nation's capital this year, Sharpton announced that thousands of demonstrators—including college students from across the country—will converge on New York's financial district this Thursday for a March on Wall Street, starting at 10 a.m. at the African Burial Ground and marching directly to Wall Street.
"The real people that are deferring the dream are on Wall Street," Sharpton told the audience. “They're the ones that are financing the moves for redistricting and robbing us of our right to vote and representation. So rather than come to Washington, we said, 'We going to Wall Street this year, where they do business.'"
Using the biblical story of David facing Goliath as his central theme, Sharpton challenged the congregation to confront contemporary challenges with biblical courage.
The prominent civil rights leader was particularly pointed in his political criticism of President Donald J. Trump and his attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion and U.S. cities led by Black mayors.
Sharpton delivered some of his harshest criticism when addressing attempts to sanitize American history, particularly regarding slavery. He expressed outrage at what he described as efforts to downplay historical injustices.
