Rev. Al Sharpton in Eatonville preaching virtues of voting

EATONVILLE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) - Reverend Al Sharpton told a group of civic and religious leaders in Eatonville that turning out the vote will be critical. Sharpton lashed out at young voters for not showing up, less than a half-century after civil rights leaders in the sixties fought so hard, and sometimes died for their beliefs.

"In Florida, working a job that your grandma couldn't work at, living in neighborhoods they couldn't live, check into any hotel you want, eat at any restaurant you want, got a little job with a title, and too lazy and ungrateful to get up and use what somebody died to give you."

In his 30 minute speech to the group, Sharpton did not make an endorsement in the governor's race. When asked about it afterwards, he again did not mention Charlie Crist by name.

"We've got to come out in numbers and support and vote for who is most in our interest."

He did say that Central Florida is still full of racial problems, especially when it comes to efforts to suppress black voters.

"In the sixties, we fought Jim Crow. You'd have to say now we are fighting his son, James Crow Jr. ESQ."

Sharpton says the wounds from the death of Trayvon Martin also have not healed yet, and he believes the trouble still exits in the African-American community.

"I think the turmoil is still there. I think it is under the surface -- there's a difference between quiet and peace. You may have more quiet now, but you don't have peace. Peace is based on having equality and fairness, and we still. Any incident can bring back the same kind of turmoil unless we solve the problem."

Sharpton urged the people in the room to not only vote, but make sure they are leading by example and organizing voters to get to the polls.

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Rev. Al Sharpton in Eatonville preaching virtues of voting

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