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Posted: 2024-08-23T01:27:31Z | Updated: 2024-08-23T01:27:31Z Members Of 'Central Park Five' Slam Donald Trump At Democratic National Convention | HuffPost

Members Of 'Central Park Five' Slam Donald Trump At Democratic National Convention

"He has never changed, and he never will," Yusef Salaam said.

Four men of color wrongly accused of a New York assault in 1989 walked onstage at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday with strong words of criticism against one of their accusers: former President Donald Trump

Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise and Raymond Santana, four of the former Central Park Five, appeared after an introduction from Rev. Al Sharpton. 

Let me tell you, this is gonna be so beautiful. Together on Nov. 5th, we will usher in Kamala Harris and Tim Walz into the White House, Salaam told the crowd. 

Along with Antron McCray, who was absent, the group of men were accused of brutally sexually assaulting a white female jogger in 1989, but they were exonerated more than a decade later, in 2002. The group, who were all teens or young adults when they were arrested, is now also known as the Exonerated Five.

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TOPSHOT - US civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton (2nd R) is joined onstage by members of the "Central Park Five," activist Kevin Richardson (L), New York City Council member Yusef Salaam (2nd L), Korey Wise (C), and Raymond Santana (R) on the fourth and last day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024.
SAUL LOEB via Getty Images

Trump infamously spent $85,000 on a full-page ad in The New York Times  addressing the case: BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY, BRING BACK OUR POLICE!

He never apologized for helping to lead the charge against the group after they were exonerated.

Forty-five wanted us unalive. He wanted us dead, Salaam said.

Today, we are exonerated because the actual perpetrator confessed, and DNA proved it, he went on, pointing out that Trump still stands by the original verdict.

He dismisses the scientific evidence rather than admit he was wrong. He has never changed, and he never will. That man thinks that hate is the animating force in America. It is not, Salaam said.

We have the constitutional right to vote. In fact, it is a human right, so let us use. I want you to walk with us, I want you to march with us, I want you to vote with us, he said. 

In November, Salaam won a seat on the New York City Council. 

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