REV. AL SHARPTON REACTS TO NEW IRS RULING ALLOWING CHURCHES TO ENDORSE POLITICAL CANDIDATES

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Jul 09, 2025

New York, NY (July 8, 2025) – Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement after the Internal Revenue Service said churches can endorse political candidates to their congregations.

“While many Black churches and others have been victims of harassment for organizing non-partisan rallies, this new ruling says something that we must study to ensure it does not create a double-edged sword. We cannot have a system in which right-wing congregations may endorse political candidates and others of a different political persuasion remain under scrutiny and lead to a situation that is not beneficial to all. In that spirit NAN and the Conference of National Black Churches, which is also led by our Chairman Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, will have a Zoom call with Black pastors in the coming days to explore the pros and cons of this decision. We will have legal experts, headed by Attorney Jennifer Jones Austin, the Vice Chair of the NAN national board, to give a legal analysis to the ministers.”

About National Action Network (NAN)
National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency, and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality, or gender.
For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net
(http://www.nationalactionnetwork.net/).