Al Sharpton comments on Trudeau's 'pause,' says he won't wait 21 seconds to condemn racism

Civil rights leader Al Sharptontook what appeared to be a dig at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau todayover the PM's 21-second pause before answering a reporter's question about U.S. President Donald Trump's handling of nationwide protests against police violence.

Sharpton said he will use his moment at a memorial service for George Floydin Minneapolislater todayto rally the nation to confront systemic racism. He alsovowed to clearly condemn Trump's actions something he suggestedTrudeau didn't do when asked about the events south of the border earlier this week.

Sharpton, a Baptist minister and TV talk show host,didn't mention Trudeau by name in his answer but referenced the prime minister's lengthy pause a moment which was widely watched in the U.S. and profiled in the New York Times.

"How many funerals do we have to have before we change the laws and we have accountability? I'm going to preach to this family that we're going to make sure that George Floyd did not die in vain," Sharpton said in an interview with Radio-Canada in Minneapolis.

"The time has made the moment of change in America. And I'm going to express that in my eulogy. And since you're from Canada, I won't have a 21-second gap before I say what I have to say."

Watch: Al Sharpton takes an apparent dig at Trudeau's 21-second pause

Civil rights leader Al Sharpton on Trudeau's 21-second pause

4 years ago

Duration 1:02

Asked about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 21-second pause before answering a question about U.S. President Donald Trump's handling of nationwide protests against police brutality and racism, civil rights leader Al Sharpton takes a dig at the PM. Sharpton will deliver the eulogy at George Floyd's memorial service Thursday and says he will condemn the actions of the president.

Sharpton, a frequent critic of Trump,has been praised for his civil rights activism but he has also been accusedof making controversial remarks, including anti-Semitic comments.

At a press conference earlier today, Trudeauwas asked repeatedly why he took so long to answer a question aboutTrump'sthreat to use military forceagainst protesters demonstrating againstFloyd's deathin police custody.

Trump is sensitiveto criticism and famously directedU.S. officials at a G7 meeting in Charlevoix, Que. to tear up an agreement after Trudeau made comments the president perceived as a slight. He called Trudeau "dishonest and weak" in response tohis comments about the NAFTA negotiation process.

When asked today if he's taking care to avoid offending Trump because of Canada's dependence on the U.S. for personal protective equipment (PPE), Trudeau said he is defending Canada's interests.

"My job as prime minister is to stand up for Canadians' values, to express those values, and to ensure that I'm standing up for Canadians' interests as well," he said."And I'm defending those interests."

Watch: Justin Trudeau is repeatedly asked about his 21-second pause

Trudeau repeatedly asked about his 21-second pause

4 years ago

Duration 1:35

Asked repeatedly by reporters why he paused for 21 seconds before answering a question earlier this week about U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to use military force against protesters, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his job is to stand up for Canadians' values and interests.

Trudeau said systemic racism is not a uniquely American problem and Canada has its own sordid history of discrimination. He vowed to do more to fight anti-black racism in Canada.

"Wehave done much, hand in hand, with the black community over these past years on supporting them, on reducing barriers, but we realize there is much more to do here in Canada, right across the country. We will continue to do that work," Trudeau said.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh andBloc Qubcois Leader Yves-Franois Blanchet have both panned Trudeau's response to Trump.

Blanchet said Trudeau "needs a spine" and should show more courage in the face of aggressive actions by aU.S. leader that are fuelling chaos on the country's streets.

Blanchet said the prime minister is "more inclined" toaccuseCanadians of being racistthan to "accuse Donald Trump of being incendiary and provoking serious social tensions."

Singh said for too long people have been "passive bystanders," enabling hate and racism to flourish. People in positions of power,such as the prime minister, must lead by example, he said.