Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five Runs as Candidate for New York City Council Seat

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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