Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five takes lead in New York City Council Primary
Yusef Salaam celebrates lead in Harlem, New York Democratic city council primary, advancing his path to a potential seat in office. We discuss it here!
By: Adonis Armstrong
In a closely contested primary race yesterday June 27th, Yusef Salaam emerged as one of the top three candidates, securing a leading position with 5,403 votes, as reported by the New York Post. Despite the official results still pending, Salaam took the opportunity to address his supporters and express his gratitude. “Harlem has spoken,” the politician shared.
The Associated Press reports that following his win, Salaam, is projected to secure a future victory in the general election, as the district is considered unlikely to vote for a Republican candidate. “What has happened in this campaign has restored my faith in knowing that I was born for this,” he stated in a speech yesterday June 27th.
While delivering his speech, Salaam openly shared his personal journey to politics as a member of the Exonerated Five. “Having to be kidnapped from my home as a 15-year-old child, to be lodged in the belly of the beast… I am my ancestor’s wildest dreams. I was gifted because I was able to see it for what it really was, a system that was trying to make me believe that I was my ancestor’s worst nightmare,” he also added, , “I am here because Harlem, you believed in me.”
While the three candidates shared a common focus on advocating for affordable housing, addressing gentrification, and alleviating poverty in Harlem, Salaam leveraged his celebrity status and connected with communities that view the Central Park Five, or better known as the Exonerated Five, as powerful symbols of the injustices experienced by the district's predominantly Black and Latino residents, who constitute around three-fourths of the population.
The race winner has not been announced by The Associated Press, and the final outcome of the election may take days to determine due to New York's ranked choice voting rules, which come into effect when no candidate secures more than 50% of the total vote. It remains uncertain whether Salaam will maintain his position above the required threshold, as of early Wednesday, with approximately 95% of the votes counted, Salaam had a slightly less than 51% of the vote, while Dickens was significantly behind in second place.
I’m rooting for you Mr. Salaam what’s yours will be yours.
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Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five Runs as Candidate for New York City Council Seat
Exonerated 5's Yusef Salaam runs as candidate for New York City Council seat, bringing a powerful voice for change. We discuss it here!
By: Adonis Armstrong
Yusef Salaam, known for his unjust incarceration as one of the Central Park Five, is now seeking office, aiming to be part of the very power structure in the city that played a role in his wrongful conviction. His story may ring a bell for those familiar with the critically acclaimed drama series When They See Us.
According to The Associated Press, Yusef Salaam, aged 49, has announced his campaign for a seat on the New York City Council, marking a notable step in his journey. Salaam is already widely recognized in the state due to an incident that had a profound impact on the trajectory of his life.
During the year 1989, a young Salaam, along with four other Black teenagers, referred to as the Central Park Five, were apprehended by the police. They faced wrongful accusations and were unjustly convicted of the rape and assault of a white woman in Central Park on April 19 of that same year. “I’ve often said that those who have been close to the pain should have a seat at the table,” he expressed during an interview conducted at his campaign office. At the age of 15, Salaam experienced his arrest, serving nearly seven years in confinement. Similarly, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise, the other four individuals, endured periods ranging from five to 12 years in prison. However, in 2002, their convictions were overturned by a judge following a comprehensive review of the case.
According to AP News, DNA evidence connected a man, recently disclosed as a serial rapist, to the assault that took place in 1989. As a result of the ordeal they endured, the city reached a settlement of $41 million with the Exonerated Five. Salaam, now one of three candidates, is participating in a closely contested Democratic primary on June 27th, vying for the opportunity to represent the Harlem district, as reported by the outlet.
Expressing enthusiasm, Salaam shared his eagerness to tackle significant challenges prevalent in Harlem, such as poverty, the plight of homeless children, and issues related to rent. “When people look at me, and they know my story, they resonate with it,” Salaam stated. “But now, here we are 34 years later, and I’m able to use that platform that I have and repurpose the pain, help people as we climb out of despair.”
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Email: Adonis@247LiveCulture.com