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Walter Scott family ‘bar Rev Al Sharpton from the funeral …

Source close to Scott family say they have told the Reverend to stay away Rev Al Sharpton was vocal after Michael Brown was shot in Ferguson He was criticized for stirring up rage as Missouri city was hit by violence Family of father-of-four Walter Scott are planning relatives-only memorial service at home in North Charleston, South Carolina His killing has grabbed national attention after video emerged showing white officer Michael Slager shooting him in the back New video from Slager's car shows no violent conflict before Scott ran off Another new video shows two officers arriving and not giving CPR

By Mia De Graaf For Dailymail.com

Published: 23:04 EST, 9 April 2015 | Updated: 15:07 EST, 10 April 2015

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Walter Scott's family have asked Al Sharpton not to attend the funeral, it is claimed.

The New York-based Reverend became a prominent voice in the wake of Michael Brown's shooting at the hands of a white police officer in Ferguson last August.

But as the nation's attention turns to South Carolina and footage showing Officer Michael Slager shooting dead father-of-four Walter Scott, his parents and brothers have made plain that they do not want the same treatment.

According to the New York Daily News, the family told Rev Sharpton to 'keep away' from the relatives-only memorial service.

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Walter Scott family 'bar Rev Al Sharpton from the funeral ...

Al Sharpton an unlikely ally in support of Common Core exams

Supporters of the states rigorous Common Core tests have a surprising new ally: the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Sharpton on Friday blasted the state teachers union as irresponsible for urging parents not to allow their kids to take the upcoming standardized exams in math and English.

Im opposed to a widespread opt-out without real dialogue ... If you lose federal funding, what happens to those kids? Sharpton told The Post at the National Action Network convention in Midtown.

Gov. Cuomo and state education officials said school districts could lose federal aid for not complying with national requirements if too many students skip the exams, which are being given in Grades 3 through 8 starting Monday.

Sharpton said his criticism was directed at Karen Magee, head of the New York State United Teachers union, and other union activists who work mostly in suburban and upstate school districts.

Union officials are encouraging a boycott to protest a controversial new provision in the state budget approved by Cuomo and the Legislature, which more closely links teacher evaluations and tenure to student performance on exams.

We are encouraging parents to opt out, Magee declared last month.

Im opposed to a widespread opt-out without real dialogue ... If you lose federal funding, what happens to those kids?-Al Sharpton

But Sharpton said a boycott could hurt urban kids and pointed out that neither he nor NAN chapter leaders in upstate cities such as Buffalo and Syracuse were consulted about the opt-out campaign.

He also praised the leader of the city teachers union, Mike Mulgrew, and Randi Weingarten of the national American Federation of Teachers for taking a more reasonable position by leaving the decision up to parents.

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Al Sharpton an unlikely ally in support of Common Core exams

Al Sharpton to speak at 'healing service' Sunday for Walter Scott

NORTH CHARLESTON (WCSC) - In a morning announcement Friday, leaders from civil rights group, The National Action Network(NAN), announced the attendance of Rev. Al Sharpton at a healing service in North Charleston Sunday.

The service, to be held at Charity Missionary Baptist Church, on East Montague Avenue, will start at 10 A.M., with Reverend Sharpton expected to speak at eleven. The group will also host a vigil at 3pm, at the site of the shooting, on Craig Road in North Charleston.

Rev. Nelson B. Rivers III, NAN Vice President of Religious Affairs, said it came down to three factors before extending the invitation.

The first was to honor the wishes of Walter Scott's family, while Rivers said Sharpton's schedule and the collective opinions of local black clergymen also played a role.

Despite national reports of the Scott family asking Rev. Sharpton to not to come, Rivers say the group has been in constant communication withthe family, and says they welcomed him to attend Saturday's funeral service, but he could not because of a prior commitment.

Rivers said the final decision was made in Friday's emergency meeting, where leaders also discussed the role of the church in the healing and restoration process throughout the Tri-County community.

"A lot was said about the city of North Charleston, injustice, the police department, and the mayor," Rivers said.

"We are clear that nothing changes without pressure."

Ministers commended local leaders for charging Michael Slager, the North Charleston policeofficer who shot Walter Scott.

They're expecting to meet with many of those leaders, like North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey, and Police Chief Eddie Driggers, in the coming weeks, after Scott's funeral.

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Al Sharpton to speak at 'healing service' Sunday for Walter Scott

Report: Rev. Sharpton Told To Stay Away From Funeral For Slain SC Man

Sharpton Says Daily News' Story Is 'Bogus' And 'Has No Merit' April 10, 2015 10:52 AM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) The Rev. Al Sharpton has reportedly been told to stay away from the funeral of a black man shot and killed by a white police officer in South Carolina.

The New York Daily News reports the family of Walter Scott has expressed they do not want the reverend, who has attended the funerals of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and Eric Garner in Staten Island, to attend the funeral.

Chris Stewart, the Scott family attorney, reportedly told the Daily News the funeral will be only for close family members.

However, a statement from Sharpton said the Daily News story is bogus and has no merit.

Sharpton said he has been invited to preach and lead a prayer vigil in North Charleston

There has never been a discussion about me attending or participating in the funeral on Saturday, since everyone knows that NANs convention with thousands of delegates is happening in New York and doesnt end until Saturday night, Rev. Sharpton said in a statement.

I have not decided whether or not I will accept the invitation to preach in North Charleston and participate in the prayer vigil on Sunday. However, I am told the mayor and police chief have said that if I do choose to come they will attend the service as we seek healing and justice in these matters, the statement reads.

As an act of violence once again focuses the nation on relations between law enforcement and minorities,Rev. Sharptonsaid Wednesday that his civil rights organization will stand with the family of the black South Carolina man fatally shot by a white police officer.

Sharpton said he first heard about the shooting from the director of the National Action Network chapter there.

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Report: Rev. Sharpton Told To Stay Away From Funeral For Slain SC Man

Pastors: Rev. Al Sharpton to attend Walter Scott's funeral, Sunday service

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- An early morning meeting of pastors for a group of North Charleston churches laid the groundwork for Rev. Al Sharpton to make an appearance in the Lowcountry this weekend as memorials are held for the man shot and killed by a police officer.

Officials said Sharpton will attend a service at Charity Church at 11 a.m. Sunday. He wanted to attend Saturday's funeral for Walter Scott, but has other obligations outside the state.

Rev. Rivers, one of the organizers of the event, cleared up reports that Walter Scott's family had asked Sharpton not to come to Charleston. Rivers said the family never made that request, and in fact welcome him and have invited him to Scott's funeral Saturday.

Rivers said Sharpton has talked with the family and they have developed a strong relationship over the past several days.

The Scott family will be in attendance at at a Sunday afternoon prayer vigil and memorial at the scene of the shooting. That vigil is set for 3 p.m., officials said.

There has also been a peace march organized by Stand Against Violence Everywhere - North Charleston for Saturday afternoon once the funeral has ended. Organizers say it will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Rivers Avenue and Mall Drive in North Charleston and progress to City Hall.

Meanwhile, Rivers said members of area churches are going to be working with the North Charleston Police Department to talk about issues in racial profiling.

It's a conversation that dates back several years.

In 2011, the NAACP levied claims of racial profiling against the department during a forum attended by then-chief Jon Zumalt. At the time, Zumalt denied officers targeted minorities in the community, but said he wants a heavy officer presence in areas with the highest crime.

On Thursday, Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon echoed those statements, adding often they find the concentration of crime highest in minority neighborhoods.

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Pastors: Rev. Al Sharpton to attend Walter Scott's funeral, Sunday service