Four men of color who were falsely accused of a 1989 attack in New York took the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday and sharply criticized one of their accusers: former President Donald Trump.
Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise and Raymond Santana, four of the former “Central Park Five,” appeared after an introduction by Rev. Al Sharpton.
“I tell you, it will be so beautiful. Together we will lead Kamala Harris and Tim Walz into the White House on November 5,” Salaam told the crowd.
The group of men, along with Antron McCray, who was absent, were charged with brutally sexually assaulting a white female jogger in 1989. However, more than a decade later, in 2002, they were acquitted. The men, who were all teenagers or young adults when they were arrested, are now known as the “Exonerated Five.”
SAUL LOEB via Getty Images
Trump famously spent $85,000 on a full-page ad in the New York Times addressing the case: “BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY, BRING BACK OUR POLICE!”
He never apologized for his role in prosecuting the group after it was exonerated.
“Forty-five wanted us dead. He wanted to kill us,” Salaam said.
“Today we are exonerated because the actual perpetrator confessed and the DNA proved it,” he continued, pointing out that Trump still stands by the original verdict.
“He ignores the scientific evidence rather than admit he was wrong. He has never changed and he never will. This man believes hate is the driving force in America. That is not the case,” Salaam said.
“We have the constitutional right to vote. In fact, it’s a human right, so let’s use it. I want you to walk with us, I want you to march with us, I want you to vote with us,” he said.
In November, Salaam won a seat on the New York City Council.
