Rachel Noerdlinger
published on:  March 15, 2004
 
SHARPTON CONTINUES CAMPAIGN TO PUSH URBAN AGENDA
 
 Kerry, Sharpton Open Dialogue to Shape Dem Platform,
Sharpton to Campaign for Kerry in the fall
 
Washington DC— After a one-hour, face-to-face meeting with Senator Kerry, Reverend Al Sharpton, accompanied by Ed Lewis, CEO of Essence Communications representing a group of prominent black entrepreneurs supporting Sharpton, and senior advisors announced today that he will campaign for Kerry in the fall while Senator John Kerry has agreed to a series of meetings with Sharpton to review and implement Sharpton’s Urban Agenda.  Sharpton, while ceding the nomination to Kerry, stated that he would remain an active candidate for the purposes of gathering delegates to promote issues of concern to minority voters at the Democratic National Convention this summer.

“Now that we have resolved who our nominee will be we can move on to developing in detail what the Democratic Platform will be,” said Sharpton.  “I am pleased that Senator Kerry has agreed work with me in an effort to implement a comprehensive Urban Agenda in his bid for the White House.”

Sharpton and Kerry agreed to a series of meetings to develop and promote an agenda to rally support among minority voters in America’s urban centers by developing a platform that embraces Affirmative Action, and cracks down on police brutality, improves schools in minority districts, increases minority access to health care, and bolsters programs to create jobs for minorities.

“Senator Kerry is a good man and will make a solid nominee for President,” added Sharpton.  “I will do everything in my power to strengthen his candidacy among my constituents so that we may unify the Party to give us the best chance of beating Bush this fall.”

Published reports that Sharpton plans to end his candidacy for President are not true.  Rather, Sharpton, is conceding the nomination to Kerry but plans to continue his candidacy to solicit delegates that are dedicated to a progressive and inclusive Democratic platform to ensure that the voices of minorities are heard as the Democratic Party charts its future course for the 2004 election and beyond.

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