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Friends of Clayton Transit Coalition Leader Roberta Abdul-Salaam talked about the struggle to bring transit to Clayton County Tuesday. (Staff Photo: Cailin OBrien).

RIVERDALE Rev. Al Sharpton spoke in Clayton County Tuesday to express how important he felt the impending MARTA referendum vote was for both the county and the country.

I didnt want to send a statement to Roberta (Abdul-Salaam, one of the coalition leaders of Friends of Clayton Transit), I wanted to come myself so that people would understand the national significance of this vote, Sharpton said to the crowded room.

A few dozen Clayton County transportation supporters crowded into a room in the Friends of Clayton Transit Education Center in Riverdale to listen to Sharpton speak on the subject as part of a press conference hosted by Friends of Clayton Transit and Henry-Clayton County National Action Network Chapter.

Sharpton is the president and founder of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization meant to work in the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., according to the organizations website.

He urged residents to show up at the polls within the next six days to vote for a referendum that would levy a 1-cent sales tax to bring MARTA to Clayton County.

A portion of that penny would be saved in an account only to be used after officials determine how to bring a high-capacity transit option, such as rail, to the county.

Dissenters worry the proposed MARTA contract may not be the best option for transit in Clayton County and say a 1 percent sales tax increase, which will give Clayton County the highest sales tax in the Southern Crescent, will drive shoppers to surrounding Henry and Fayette counties.

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Sharpton urges support for MARTA vote