During the Democratic National Convention, the Exonerated Five, formerly known as the Central Park Five, spoke out against former President Donald Trump for not apologizing for calling for the death penalty when they were falsely accused of raping a jogger in 1989. Yusef Salaam, now a member of New York City Council, criticized Trump for never changing his stance on the matter. The men spent years in prison before DNA evidence linked a serial rapist to the crime and their convictions were vacated in 2002, with the city later paying them $41 million in a settlement.
Trump’s campaign spokesperson claimed that the men had admitted guilt, despite the evidence proving their innocence. The Rev. Al Sharpton welcomed the Exonerated Five to speak at the convention, where they shared their experiences of injustice and unfair treatment in the courtroom due to Trump’s actions.
Korey Wise highlighted Kamala Harris as someone who has worked towards fairness and called for her to continue doing so as president. The group, with the exception of Antron McCray, stood together to advocate for justice and to challenge Trump’s perception of hate as the driving force in America. The Exonerated Five’s message at the convention was a powerful reminder of the impact of wrongful convictions and the importance of fighting for justice and equality in the face of adversity.
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