![By Thomas Altfather Good (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://blacknoir.nyc/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/1024px-TAG_Sharpton_Esaw_Garner.jpg)
Friday, December 5, 2014
STATEMENT FROM REV. AL SHARPTON REGARDING HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE FUNERAL SERVICES FOR AKAI GURLEY
“It has come to my attention that due to some interaction in the family around the services for Akai Gurley tonight and tomorrow, that services may be altered. I encourage the family and community to unite for justice and deal with other matters at another time.
I was scheduled to speak tonight in Washington, D.C. at the private memorial service for Marion Barry and to be in Staten Island tomorrow afternoon. I altered my schedule based on Kimberly Ballinger’s request, the domestic partner of Akai Gurley, to come tonight to Brooklyn; because I think that we need a fair and open investigation. I also do not want to get in the middle of any confusion or division.
The mother of Eric Garner, Gwen Carr, and I will pay our respects tonight to the entire family and community by viewing the body but I will not engage in any of the program. I hope that leaders and community members rally around the domestic partner, mother and everyone in whatever way they decide to proceed. Tomorrow Attorney Benjamin Crump on behalf of Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin’s families will join us to announce a week count down to the national march in Washington D.C., at the site of Eric Garners death in Staten Island at 1:30 p.m. We are glad that Kimberly Ballinger will join those families and the Garner’s at the march next week.”
-Reverend Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network
Photo By Thomas Altfather Good (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons