Representatives from Al Sharpton’s National Action Network stood outside the capitol building on Wednesday and pleaded for everyone planning to rally that day — which many suspect could turn violent — to go home.
“We are asking all hate groups, like the KKK and the Black Panthers, to leave our state. You are not welcome here,” said Tina Reddy of Sharpton’s organization.
It is unlikely, however, that many will listen, as most millennial and younger activists are looking towards other boots on the ground as they grow disenchanted by long-time African-American leaders like Sharpton.
Sharpton lost respect from younger activists for his actions surrounding recent demonstrations over police brutality, and after insulting protesters in Ferguson, comparing those active in the uprising to prostitutes.
“Anytime you have movements, whether it’s in Ferguson, whether it’s in New York, whether it’s in Denver, wherever it is, when they got you more angry at your parents then they got you at the vote you’re supposed to be out there for, you’re being tricked and you’re trying to turn the community into tricks. And they are pimping you, to do the Willie Lynch in our community,” Sharpton stated.
“It’s the disconnect that is the strategy to break the movement. And they play on your ego. ‘Oh, you young and hip, you’re full of fire. You’re the new face.’ All the stuff that they know will titillate your ears. That’s what a pimp says to a ho,” Sharpton went on to say.
— deray mckesson (@deray) February 4, 2015
— deray mckesson (@deray) February 4, 2015
Meanwhile the “Great Titan” of the Loyal White Knights KKK group, James Spears, claimed that the new rally is being planned because the group is “standing up for the Confederacy.”
The outgoing voicemail greeting for the group states that the government is "trying to erase white culture and heritage from the history books."
"If you're white and proud, join the crowd," the message continues. "Save our land, join the Klan."
The Grand Dragon of the chapter, Robert Jones, has referred to Dylann Roof, the terrorist who massacred nine people at a bible study in South Carolina last month, as a “warrior” who “picked the wrong target.”
"I think he picked the wrong target," Spears said. "A better target for him would have been these gang-bangers, running around rapping, raping and stealing."
