Muslim man once falsely accused runs for New York City Council seat
NEW YORK – Yusef Salaam, once falsely accused and convicted has decided to run for a seat on the New York City Council.
Salaam, then 15, and four other teenagers were accused by police of raping and assaulting a white woman in Central Park in 1989.
They spent seven years in prison before being exonerated in 2002.
Their convictions were overturned in 2002 when new evidence, including DNA analysis, linked the crime to a serial rapist.
Salaam is running in the Democratic primary for the Harlem seat.
He is one of three candidates in that race.
The primary is set for June 27.
Salaam said he is running for office to give a voice to those who have been wrongfully convicted.
He also said he wants to address some of Harlem’s most pressing challenges, including poverty, homelessness, and affordable housing.
Political experts said Salaam’s campaign represents a remarkable journey of resilience and pursuit of redress.
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