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REV. AL SHARPTON MAKES POWERFUL CASE TO SENATE TO CALL A VOTE TO CONFIRM LORETTA LYNCH AS U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL AT 153RD DC EMANCIPATION DAY ANNIVERSARY PRAYER BREAKFAST
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Women leaders continue Confirm Loretta Fast Campaign, and Rev. Sharpton discusses national action supporting their efforts
WASHINGTON, DC— Rev. Al Sharpton delivered a keynote speech this morning at the 153rd District of Columbia Emancipation Day Anniversary Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Government of the District of Columbia. During his speech, Rev. Sharpton called on U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to call a vote and confirm Loretta Lynch as U.S. Attorney General.
“You sit her down in front of the US Senate committee, she answers every question, takes every indirect or direct insult, walks out with impeccable grace and charm, and you will not even schedule a vote to confirm her to be Attorney General,” Rev. Sharpton said. “To not have a vote on Loretta Lynch as Attorney General, while we face such challenging times in the criminal justice system, is an insult to every American.”
Rev. Sharpton went on to discuss her inarguable qualifications and what would be a historic confirmation, adding, “Now, the fact of that matter is that we’ve got a long way to go around policing and around other issues. But nothing is more offensive to me than to see a family from North Carolina send their daughter to school, struggle all the way to Ivy League school, graduate from Harvard University – with an impeccable record – go on to be a leading prosecutor, confirmed twice for US Attorney, nominated by the President to be the Attorney General – and who would be the first black woman Attorney General – have her confirmation held up by politics.”
Yesterday, National Action Network (NAN) launched a “Confirm Lynch” Fast along with other women civil rights leaders and more than 300 individuals around the country to put pressure on the Senate to call for a vote.
Rev. Sharpton discussed the support that would be provided to put pressure alongside these women’s efforts.
“Yesterday, Janaye Ingram, who is the Executive Director of National Action Network, announced that they’re doing alternate days fast,” Rev. Sharpton said. “We’re going to start making house calls. There are several senators that are in states that were won by President Obama that are up for re-election. Rather than just go to McConnell we going to see them, to tell them that if you can’t push this vote, we are going to be pushing a vote against you when you run for re-election next year.”
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