The Rev. Al Sharpton, alongside members of the Exonerated Five, launched a bus tour from Harlem to Philadelphia to energize Black voter turnout ahead of the 2024 election.
With Pennsylvania being a key battleground state, Sharpton aimed to counter rising support for former President Donald Trump among Black men by spotlighting Trump’s past actions, notably his call for the execution of the Exonerated Five during the 1989 Central Park jogger case.
The group, formerly known as the Central Park Five, was exonerated in 2002.
Yusef Salaam and Korey Wise, two members of the Exonerated Five, joined Sharpton on the tour, delivering speeches at several Philadelphia locations.
Their message urged civic participation, linking voter turnout to preventing injustices similar to their wrongful convictions.
Salaam emphasized that voting is critical for shaping a future that protects future generations from systemic racism.
The tour, organized by Sharpton’s National Action Network, reflects broader efforts to mobilize voters in key states like Ohio, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.
The goal is to spark voter engagement, ensuring a high turnout on Election Day.