Confusion spreads over whether Al Sharpton is attending ‘Taking – News 12 Connecticut
There is confusion over whether Rev. Al Sharpton will take part in a march he was believed to be attending in Bridgeport Saturday.
Sharpton is being promoted as the central figure at a march in Bridgeport on Saturday. Sharpton's picture appears in the "Taking Back Our Village March" ad that's been circulating on social media over the past week.
However, the event organizers now say they can only confirm that a representative from Sharpton's National Action Network will attend.
Controversy has been brewing all week surrounding the event, with some saying they oppose the way Sharpton's appearance was organized.
The Rev. Karl McCluster, of Shiloh Baptist Church, issued a statement saying, "It has been brought to my attention that Sharpton, one of our great civil rights leaders, is not able to come....because of his very challenging schedule."
Organizers say there have been concerns for Sharpton's safety after some people threatened to throw rocks at him if he showed for the event.
State Sen. Marilyn Moore says she thinks some of the controversy surrounding the visit may have arisen from a genuine misunderstanding about comments she made earlier this week.
"I was appalled that we're calling people from the outside in to solve our problems when we have the power as legislators and municipal leaders and citizens to demand that and we're not using our power," she said.
Organizers said Thursday they could only confirm that a Sharpton representative, and not Sharpton himself, would attend the event -- an event they say is about one cause, not one man.
"The National Action Network will be present, and we ask that the community come out and support this monumentous event," said Herron Gaston.
Sharpton's National Action Network has not responded to News 12's request for a comment.
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Confusion spreads over whether Al Sharpton is attending 'Taking - News 12 Connecticut