The National Action Network holds a ‘Civil Rights Revival’
Rev. Al Sharpton organizes Black Americans so they can obtain political clout
By Jimmie Davis, Jr.
As long as tyrants continue to trample down on the masses of African Americans there will always be a need to implement some type of discourse that addresses the concerns of the oppressed, and the National Action Network [NAN] since its inception in 1991 has been working throughout the US to bring justice to Black Americans.
The South Florida Chapter of NAN recently convened at New Birth Baptist Church, 2300 N.W. 135 St., in Miami for a “Civil Rights Revival & Mini-Conference” where Rev. Al Sharpton, president of NAN was the featured speaker.
“This is a civil rights revival where we want residents to know that we are going to have a show down in Florida over the Stand Your Ground law,” said Sharpton during the revival. “This particular law was created to stop violence but it does just the opposite and encourages violence.”
NAN recently organized peaceful demonstrations in over 100 cities across America to protest the “not guilty” verdict of George Zimmerman who stood trial on charges of second degree murder of Trayvon Martin.
Sharpton says that NAN will be going throughout the state county by county to register residents to vote, because the only way to change the laws such as Stand Your Ground and Racial Profiling is to elect officials that acknowledge that these laws are biased.
There were three nights of dialogue that consisted of panel discussions along with worship services with distinguished guests as Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, Board Member NAN, and Senior Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas and Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Board Member NAN, Senior Pastor Grace Baptist Church, Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Tuesday night’s topic of discussion was on education, employment and the economy.
Wednesday night focused on the importance of healthcare for Black America, while creating access for all citizens regardless of race, creed or color.
Panelist agreed that America is the richest nation on the earth but does not give insurance to its citizens.
“President Obama signed the Affordable Healthcare Act in 2010 so that people will have access to healthcare,” said Betsy E. Havens Attorney for Florida Legal Services. “This advances racial equality.”
She says other proponents included in the “Obama care” act are children can’t be denied insurance if they have a previous health condition, and they can stay on their parents insurance until they reach 26- years-old.
Mishell Warner, Desert Storm Veteran knows the importance of health insurance and what benefits Medicaid can provide to families.
Warner lost three babies back to back and with Medicaid assisting her she’s had two successful births – but her second child had a stroke.
“I was able to get hospitalization because I had Medicaid,” said Warner. “I don’t know where I’d be without Medicaid. My children are miracles.”
Thursday night’s forum pertained to gun violence, and featured guest panelist Dr. Mack King Carter, Retired Pastor of Mount Olive Baptist, Fort Lauderdale.
Carter says that violence is engrained in the minds of members of society simply because it’s in our DNA.
“We exist because of criminal activity such as the Europeans coming to this country and stealing the land from the native inhabitants,” Carter said. “Every war that’s been fought has been done with a gun.”
But Carter says the worst thing besides the European slave trade that happened to Black folks is religion. “Anglo Christianity is the worst enemy,” he said. “When they say in God we trust. That’s a lie. What they mean is in guns we trust.”
