Yusef Salaam wins Democratic primary for New York City Council
In 1989, Salaam and 4 others were wrongfully arrested, beaten, coerced into a false confession of raping a woman in Central Park
NEW YORK – Yusef Salaam, one of the wrongfully convicted Central Park Five teenagers, has won the Democratic primary for a New York City Council seat,
Salaam, a 49-year-old poet, activist and inspirational speaker, will represent the Harlem and Upper Manhattan seat.
In a tightly contested race, Salaam is holding an overwhelming lead over his closest competitor, Assemblywoman Inez Dickens.
In his victory speech, he emphasized that his campaign was about those who had been laid off and forgotten.
He also promised to restore a voice to Harlem, which had been marginalized.
“This campaign has been about those who have been counted out. This campaign has been about those who have been forgotten,” Salaam said.
“This campaign has been about our Harlem community, who has been pushed into the margins of life and made to believe that they were supposed to be there,” he added.
“What has happened, in this campaign, has restored my faith in knowing that I was born for this,” he added. “I am here because, Harlem, you believed in me.” Salaam said.
Supporters celebrate Salaam’s extraordinary rise to power.
Raymond Santana, a fellow convict in the Central Park Five case, expressed his joy on Twitter.
Sherrilyn Ifill, former president of the Legal Defense Fund, called Salaam’s victory a small measure of justice for what the city of New York did to him.
Renowned filmmaker Ken Burns expressed hope that young people would appreciate the significance of this victory.
He had made the documentary “The Central Park Five,” which highlighted Salaam’s ordeal.
Salaam said he was the victim of a flawed system at the age of 15.
But now he wants to turn his pain into action and make a difference.
In 1989, Salaam and four others were wrongfully arrested, beaten and coerced into a false confession of raping a woman in Central Park.
They spent years in prison for a crime they did not commit.
Salaam, who spent seven years behind bars, has become a symbol of resilience and perseverance.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
