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Al Sharpton went on MSNBC on Tuesday to slam the filibuster, calling on Democrat lawmakers to work around it tosecure more voting rights.

Sharpton claimed that the filibuster should not stand in the way of democracy while also saying that President Joe Biden should join him and other civil rights leaders to work around it in the name of voting rights.

I certainly support, and have been saying this for some time, that we must have a way that we raise the issue of voting around the filibuster, Sharpton declared. Filibuster should not stand in the way of democracy, should not stand in the way of our constitutional rights.

I said to the president, along with my seven colleagues that lead national civil rights organizations, that he ought to take that position, he continued. I do not know what he will say today, but we certainly encourage him to speak forcefully.

Related: Al Sharpton Claims A Lot Of People Have Taken Advantage Of Our Pain Rather Than Trying To Ease Our Pain

If he talks history, if he talks about, weve been here before, and what we had to do to get past that, I think thats a good thing, Sharpton said. If he also deals with the fact that we need to have a workaround a filibuster, I think that will be a great thing. I intend to be there to hear what he has to say. Im glad hes speaking up, though.

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) took to Twitter last month to slam the filibuster, as she is hoping to get rid of it so that she can force her radically liberal agenda on the American people.

Call me radical, but I do not believe a minority of Senators should be able to block voting rights for millions of people, she tweeted. But I guess Im just from that far-left school of thought that legislation should pass when a majority of legislators vote for it.

Related: AOC: Filibuster Not Needed Because The Senate Already Amplifies Minority Power

Democrats are suddenly against the filibuster morally despite the fact that they have used it many times when they needed to. Funny how that works out.

This piece was written by James Samson on July 14, 2021. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

Read more at LifeZette:Trey Gowdy Reveals Lethal Mistake Democrats Made They Owe America An ApologyChris Wallace Confronts Pentagon Press Sec. Kirby About Withdrawing Troops From AfghanistanChris Wallace Confronts TX Gov. Abbott About GOP Voting Law Point Is To Suppress Voting By People Of Color?

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider.

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Al Sharpton Slams The Filibuster Says It 'Should Not Stand In The Way Of Democracy' The pink report news - The pink report news

This Sundance award-winner is an absolute joy, uncovering a treasure trove of pulse-racing, heart-stopping live music footage (originally captured by TV veteran Hal Tulchin) that has remained largely unseen for half a century. While Mike Wadleighs Woodstock and the Maysles Gimme Shelter have long been considered definitive documents of the highs and lows of 1969 pop culture, Summer of Soul makes both look like a footnote to the main event: a festival in the heart of Harlem that was somehow written out of the history books. Capturing Stevie Wonder at a turning point in his career, Mavis Staples duetting with Mahalia Jackson (an unreal moment, says Staples) and Nina Simone at the height of her performing powers, director Ahmir Questlove Thompsons feature debut intertwines music and politics in one of the best concert movies of all time.

Produced and MCed by Tony Lawrence (a hustler, in the best sense), and supported by the liberal Republican New York mayor, John Lindsay, with security by the Black Panthers, the 1969 Harlem Cultural festival played out over six weekends in Mount Morris Park at a time of profound cultural re-evaluation, a year on from the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King. Up in space, Neil Armstrong may have been taking one small step for a man, but as a festivalgoer states: Never mind the moon, lets get some of that cash in Harlem.

Astutely chosen news footage outlines a decade of tension, producing disparate strands of resistance civil rights and Black power. Among those on stage are the saxophonist Ben Branch, whom King spoke to immediately before his death, requesting that Branch play his favourite song, Precious Lord, Take My Hand. Its that song that Staples and Jackson perform together in a moment that matches the ecstatic heights of Amazing Grace another long-delayed music doc, covering Aretha Franklins 1972 performances at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

Blending wry laughter with piercing insight, interviewees explain how the word Black shifted from a fighting-talk term of abuse to one of self-determination and pride. Trailblazing journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault remembers the battle she fought to get the New York Times to use Black rather than negro, while others describe festival power-couple Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach as being unapologetically Black they lived that phrase every day.

Watching footage of her band the 5th Dimension performing Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In with tasseled orange suits, Marilyn McCoo remembers how they had been criticised for being not Black enough, and how happy they were to be there in Harlem, reclaiming their identity. Then to cap it all, we watch Nina Simone showcasing a new song, inspired by the stage production To Be Young Gifted and Black, performed in a voice that the Rev Al Sharpton astutely characterises as somewhere between hope and mourning.

While Simone is described as looking like an African princess, Hugh Masekelas performance of Grazing in the Grass seems to transport the audience to another land, soaring from the parks of New York to distant plains. Elsewhere, Sly and the Family Stone embody the psychedelic Afrofuturist R&B vibe, with Rose Stone and Cynthia Robinson giving their bandleader a run for his money on keyboards and trumpet respectively, and the audience gradually accepting that a white drummer can kick it after all.

Gladys Knight recalls that it wasnt just about the music; we wanted progress; the Edwin Hawkins Singers perform Oh, Happy Day in lime-green harmony; Ray Barretto and Mongo Santamara bring the Latin-fusion beat; BB King cradles his guitar like a baby while he sings the blues; Rev Jesse Jackson speaks to the soul; and Stevie Wonder is on fire on drums, keyboards and vocals as he enters a new era of meaningful jazz funk.

The fact that the rose coming through cement of this festival was overlooked for so long served as further evidence that Black history is gonna be erased. Yet Questloves film begins and ends with festivalgoer Musa Jackson viewing the uplifting reclaimed footage (a sly counterpoint to the horrorshow bookending of Gimme Shelter) and tearfully thanking the film-maker for proving to him that Im not crazy! that this really happened. Thanks to this terrific film, we can all share in that sense of wonder.

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Summer of Soul review the best concert film ever made? - The Guardian

News 12 Staff

Jul 18, 2021, 1:56am

Updated on: Jul 18, 2021, 1:56am

Many gathered around the nation and throughout New York City Saturday to mark one year since the death of since civil rights icon John Lewis.

At the National Action Network in Harlem Saturday morning, elected officials called on lawmakers to pass legislation to protect voting rights that Lewis marched to protect.

"The way to make sure we memorialize him is to pass the voting rights bills that is in our Congress," said Rev. Al Sharpton.

Rep. Yvette Clarke highlighted the 80-year-old public servant's activism.

"And that brother walked through the dungeons, where you could still smell the death of our people," Clarke said.

The late Lewis' presence was in the air as many joined together on Zoom at the Good Trouble Vigil for Democracy to remember the late congressman.

"Not only does he talk about bridges but he walks on bridges and so we know we crossed over but there are future bridges ahead of us," said faith leader Dr. Robert Waterman.

The John Lewis Mobalization organized the event and highlighted the legislation many have called for.

"We need to do whatever possible to make it easier for people to vote, and so I'm committed to passing this piece of legislation," said Sen. John Liu

"They need to know that they have the right to vote but why they need to vote" State Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman.

Legislation from For the People Act to the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act that would federally protect voters across the fifty states and would minimize voter suppression.

Lewis is best known for marching and organizing in Selma, Alabama alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965.

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Lawmakers call for protections to voters' rights on anniversary of John Lewis' death - News 12 Bronx

By Marc H. Morial

(Trice Edney Wire) The 21st century Jim Crow assault is real. Its unrelenting, and were going to challenge it vigorously. While this broad assault against voting rights is not unprecedented, its taking on a new and, literally, pernicious forms. Its no longer just about who gets to vote or making it easier for eligible voters to vote. Its about who gets to count the vote who gets to count whether or not your vote counted at all. Its about moving from independent election administrators who work for the people to polarized state legislatures and partisan actors who work for political parties. To me, this is simple: This is election subversion. Its the most dangerous threat to voting and the integrity of free and fair elections in our history. President Joe Biden

Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with President Biden and Vice President Harris to discuss the appalling attack on democracy that is ongoing in state legislatures across the country, as well as other issues of racial justice.

A few days later, President Biden delivered one of the most impassioned speeches of his presidency, echoing many of the themes we discussed in our meeting. He alluded to our meeting, reminding Americans of our commitment to stay vigilant and challenge these odious laws in the courts. I was proud that we pushed the President to address the issue, and we intend to continue pushing.

The National Urban League helped lead the meeting between the White House and a group of leaders from eight legacy Black civil rights organizations. Joining me were Melanie Campbell, President and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation; Dr. Johnnetta Cole, National Chair and President of the National Council of Negro Women; Wade Henderson, Interim President of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund; Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP; and Reverend Al Sharpton, President of the National Action Network.

I was grateful for the opportunity to impress upon the President and Vice President the urgency of confronting the wave of anti-voter legislation that is surging through state legislatures. When we look at what is happening in this nation, we see an effort to impose a system of American apartheid on our grand and glorious multicultural nation. State laws are used to suppress the vote, the filibuster process is used to obstruct Congressional oversight. the courts are used to undercut the Voting Rights Act, all to subvert the democratic process and overturn the will of the people.

We urged President Biden to put the full moral prestige and the power of the presidency behind voting rights, to help frame the debate for the American people. As a candidate, he talked about the soul of the nation. No issue cuts to the soul of the nation more than voting rights.

I was glad to hear President Biden and Vice President Harris reconfirm their determination to push for passage of the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act two vital bills that would protect voting rights and the integrity of the elections process.

We also discussed the frustrating delay in securing passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which is currently being negotiated in the Senate. Days after the meeting, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who is leading the negotiations for Senate Republicans, said he hopes a police reform package is approved by the end of this month.

We look forward to continuing the discussion and holding the President and Vice President to their commitments.

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Civil Rights Leaders Urge White House To Put The Full Moral Prestige And Power Of The Presidency Behind Voting Rights - Seattle Medium

BEEBE, Ark. (AP) The Rev. Al Sharpton and attorneys for George Floyds family on Tuesday mourned a white Arkansas teenager fatally shot by a sheriffs deputy, as they urged support across racial lines for efforts to reform police practices.

Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriffs deputy, Sgt. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock.

The killing in the predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists such as Sharpton, who said concerns about police tactics arent just limited to the Black community.

The issue of policing is not about Black and white, Sharpton told a packed auditorium at Beebe High School, where Brittain was a rising senior. Its about right and wrong.

Many attending the memorial wore jeans and shirts that read Justice for Hunter, in a ceremony that included Floyd family attorneys Ben Crump and Devon Jacob. Both are representing Brittains family.

Floyd died in May last year when a white Minneapolis police officer used his knee to pin the handcuffed Black mans neck to the ground. His death sparked nationwide protests over policing and racial inequality.

Crump and Jacob invoked other people killed by police, including Breonna Taylor, a Kentucky woman who was fatally shot during a botched police raid. Crump led the crowd in chanting, Hunter Brittains life matters.

Because he is not here, we all have to unite together and make sure people all over America know that we will get justice for Hunter Brittain, Crump said.

Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley last week fired Davis for not turning on his body camera until after he had shot Brittain. Staley said the only footage police have is from the aftermath. Arkansas State Police are investigating Brittains death. Davis is white.

Authorities have released few details about the shooting. Brittains family has said the teenager was unarmed and was holding a jug of antifreeze when he was shot. Brittains family and friends have held protests nightly outside the Lonoke County sheriffs office and have complained about the lack of information released.

Family members have said Brittain had been working on his trucks transmission and had been test driving it when he was pulled over.

Staley on Monday said he welcomed those who want to peacefully protest, but that out-of-state activists could risk inflaming an already difficult situation.

The people of this county are good, decent people and they, like me, want to see accountability and transparency in this situation, Staley wrote on the offices Facebook page.

The memorial included calls to pass federal legislation in Floyds name to overhaul police practices.

Hopefully, Hunter and his untimely death will finish what Hunters brother George Floyd and his death started, Jacob said.

Jesse Brittain, Hunters uncle, received a standing ovation when he called for an end to qualified immunity for police officers, a legal doctrine that frequently shields them from civil lawsuits for things they do in the course of their job.

Your life had meaning, youre loved and your family will not stop advocating until we have justice for you, Hunter, he said. And also justice for all of our other brothers and sisters dying at the hands of law enforcement hired to protect and serve us around this country.

As mourners filed into the high school auditorium Tuesday morning, photos and video of Brittain were displayed on a large screen above his casket, which was decorated with blue and white ribbons, the Chevrolet symbol and Forever Chevy 17. Family members said Brittain dreamed of becoming a NASCAR driver after graduation.

Hunter did nothing wrong, just like we felt George Floyd did nothing wrong, Sharpton told reporters before the memorial. But if we segregate how we react, then were wrong.

It was unclear what impact Sharptons and the attorneys calls for action would have in Lonoke County, a rural county of 73,000 people that is 90% white.

Even before the memorial service, Brittains friends and family were calling for change at the state level with petitions urging the Legislature to require officers to wear body cameras that would be turned on as soon as their shift begins.

I never thought anything like this would happen until it hit so close to home, said Scott Hendrickson, whose son was close friends with Brittain and who is . Once it happened to my sons best friend, I said it could happen to my son so it was too close to home to not do anything about it.

Dozens of people gathered outside the sheriffs office after the memorial service for a rally with Brittains family, attorneys and the NAACP

Melissia McMahan, who is the Brittain familys mail carrier and knew the teen since he was a toddler, said she had thought about the need for police reform before Brittains death but hadnt thought it was something her own community would face.

I never expected anything like what happened, especially not just a country boy working on his truck and taking it for a test drive, she said.

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Al Sharpton eulogizes white Arkansas teen shot by deputy - The Associated Press