Remembrances, calls for reform at Irvo Otieno’s funeral
March 29, 2023 GMTNORTH CHESTERFIELD, Va. (AP) — Family, friends and other mourners gathered Wednesday at a Virginia church to remember Irvo Otieno at a funeral service, celebrating his life and calling for mental health care and policing reforms after the 28-year-old Black man's death earlier this month while in custody at a state psychiatric hospital.
Sharpton to speak at funeral of man pinned down by deputies
March 27, 2023 GMTCHESTERFIELD, Va. (AP) — The Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy at the funeral of a 28-year-old Black man who died after he was pinned to the floor by seven sheriff's deputies and several others while he was being admitted to a mental hospital in Virginia.
Al Sharpton’s half-brother pleads guilty to federal charges
February 25, 2023 GMTMONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama pastor and voting rights activist, who is the half-brother of the Rev. Al Sharpton, pleaded guilty Friday to federal tax evasion, mail fraud, and drug conspiracy charges.
Sharpton to DeSantis: Stop censoring Black history
February 15, 2023 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Rev. Al Sharpton led a march to the Florida Capitol on Wednesday to protest Gov. Ron DeSantis' rejection of a high school African American history course, accusing the Republican of censoring a fundamental chapter of the nation's past.
Impassioned calls for police reform at Tyre Nichols’ funeral
February 1, 2023 GMTMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tyre Nichols' family and friends remembered him with songs of faith and heartfelt tributes Wednesday, blending a celebration of his life with outraged calls for police reform after the brutal beating he endured at the hands of Memphis police.
Tyre Nichols’ family grieves ‘on sacred ground’ in Memphis
February 1, 2023 GMTNo indictment in death of handcuffed woman who fell from car
November 7, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Prosecutors will not seek an indictment against sheriff's deputies in the death of a handcuffed Georgia woman who fell from a patrol car after the deputies failed to close the rear passenger-side door, authorities announced Monday.
Sharpton puts spotlight on Georgia woman’s patrol car fall
August 11, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — The Rev. Al Sharpton demanded a full accounting of how a Georgia woman fell from a moving patrol car after her arrest, saying at her funeral Thursday that he would seek a Justice Department review of her case if the family didn't get answers.
Ogwumike, WNBA continue push for Brittney Griner’s release
July 9, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Brittney Griner is “the fun aunt,” according to Nneka Ogwumike. She is resilient and kind, Ogwumike said. A fellow daughter of Texas, and Ogwumike's father's favorite player.
Speaking Friday ahead of the WNBA's All-Star festivities in Chicago, Ogwumike focused more on Griner's humanity than her playing ability as the league continued to push for Griner's release from her detention in Russia.
Al Sharpton takes a bow, with Spike, to close out Tribeca
June 19, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — On the eve of Juneteenth, the Tribeca Festival came to a close with the Rev. Al Sharpton documentary “Loudmouth” in a premiere that united on stage Sharpton and Spike Lee — two towering New York figures who have each been vilified and celebrated for careers championing racial justice.
Jennifer Lopez and ‘Halftime’ kick off Tribeca Festival
June 9, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The Jennifer Lopez documentary “Halftime” kicked off the 21st Tribeca Festival, launching the annual New York event with an intimate behind-the-scenes portrait of the singer-actor filmed during the tumultuous year she turned 50, co-headlined the Super Bowl and narrowly missed out on an Oscar nomination.
3 more funerals for Buffalo victims in week of goodbyes
May 27, 2022 GMTBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A mother and sister known for baking decadent pastries. A restaurant worker buying his 3-year-old's birthday cake. A father and die-hard Buffalo Bills fan who worked as a school bus aide.
‘How dare you!‘: Grief, anger from Buffalo victims’ kin
May 20, 2022 GMTBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Relatives of the 10 Black people massacred in a Buffalo supermarket pleaded with the nation Thursday to confront and stop racist violence, their agony pouring out in the tears of a 12-year-old child, hours after the white man accused in the killings silently faced a murder indictment in court.
Sharpton demands name of officer who killed Patrick Lyoya
April 22, 2022 GMTGRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — The Rev. Al Sharpton demanded that authorities publicly identify the Michigan officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Black man and native of Congo who was fatally shot in the back of the head after a struggle, saying at Lyoya's funeral Friday: “We want his name!"
Biden closes out Black History Month with White House event
February 28, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden welcomed Black leaders to the White House Monday for a jovial Black History Month celebration, where he called on Congress to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, and pass voting rights bills.
Trayvon Martin’s mother: ‘Don’t give up’ fight for justice
February 26, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The mother of Trayvon Martin used the 10th anniversary of her son's death Saturday to urge those who sought justice for her family to continue to fight.
“I never do anything on the 26th, I never even plan anything on the 26th of February,” Sybrina Fulton said at the weekly meeting of the National Action Network, the civil rights organization founded by the Rev.
Sharpton: Without no-knock warrant, Locke would be alive
February 18, 2022 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Rev. Al Sharpton told the hundreds gathered Thursday for Amir Locke's funeral that the 22-year-old Black man would still be alive if Minneapolis had banned no-knock warrants.
Amir Locke funeral set for Thursday; Sharpton to officiate
February 15, 2022 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The funeral for Amir Locke, the 22-year-old Black man who was shot by Minneapolis police executing a search warrant, will be held Thursday in the church that hosted Daunte Wright's funeral last April.
Goodell, civil rights leaders meet over Rooney Rule
February 8, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A group of civil rights leaders called for replacing the Rooney Rule in a meeting Monday with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Seeking specific recruiting and hiring procedures for NFL executive and coaching positions, they also sought “meaningful consequences for teams that do not abide by the rules."
Black pastors rally outside trial over Arbery’s killing
November 18, 2021 GMTBRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Hundreds of pastors both rallied and prayed Thursday outside the trial of three white men charged in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, gathering in response to a defense lawyer's bid to keep Black ministers out of the courtroom.
Attorney: No more `Black pastors’ in court for Arbery case
November 12, 2021 GMTBRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — An attorney for one of the white men standing trial in the death of Ahmaud Arbery told the judge Thursday he doesn't want “any more Black pastors” in the courtroom after the Rev.
Hochul announces Benjamin as pick for lieutenant governor
August 26, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced state Sen. Brian Benjamin as her choice for lieutenant governor Thursday in the senator's Harlem district, where the two promised to work together to address the ongoing pandemic and get COVID-19 relief into New Yorkers' pockets.
Laughter, tears, cheers at funeral for Biz Markie
August 2, 2021 GMTPATCHOGUE, N.Y. (AP) — With laughter and tears, songs and stories, friends and family of Biz Markie celebrated his life and legacy at a funeral Monday, remembering the rapper as larger than life and full of love.
Al Sharpton eulogizes white Arkansas teen shot by deputy
July 7, 2021 GMTBEEBE, Ark. (AP) — The Rev. Al Sharpton and attorneys for George Floyd's family on Tuesday mourned a white Arkansas teenager fatally shot by a sheriff's deputy, as they urged support across racial lines for efforts to reform police practices.
Prosecutor: Honolulu police killing of Black man justified
July 1, 2021 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu police officers' use of deadly force was justified and no charges will be filed against them in a shooting that killed a Black man because an investigation found that he entered a home uninvited and physically attacked the officers, the city's prosecuting attorney said Wednesday.
Sharpton condemns Honolulu police shooting of Black man
June 19, 2021 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton is condemning the Honolulu Police Department for the fatal shooting of a Black man as various versions of what led to the death continue to emerge.
Early voting starts in NY, candidates urge people to polls
June 12, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Candidates in New York City's heavily contested Democratic mayoral primary on Saturday urged people to go to the polls in the coming days as early voting kicked off.
The start of early voting around the state marks the homestretch to primary election day on June 22.
Danny Glover joins crowd at rally against anti-Asian bias
May 27, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Health care workers demonstrating against anti-Asian bias were joined by actor and longtime activist Danny Glover on Thursday at a rally, where he spoke of solidarity and communities supporting each other.
Calls for justice at N.C. funeral of Andrew Brown Jr.
May 3, 2021 GMTELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (AP) — The Rev. Al Sharpton issued a powerful call for transparency and the release of body camera footage at the funeral Monday for Andrew Brown Jr...
‘Black America’s attorney general’ seems to be everywhere
May 2, 2021 GMTBen Crump, the Rev. Al Sharpton says, is “Black America’s attorney general.”
In less than a decade, the Florida-based attorney has become the voice for the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd -- Black people whose deaths at the hands of police and vigilantes sparked a movement.
Andrew Brown Jr. funeral set for Monday with Sharpton eulogy
April 28, 2021 GMTA funeral will be held next Monday for Andrew Brown Jr., a Black man shot and killed by North Carolina deputies, with the Rev...
Sharpton decries ‘stench of racism’ in Daunte Wright’s death
April 22, 2021 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Daunte Wright, the young Black man shot by an officer during a traffic stop in suburban Minneapolis, was not “just some kid with an air freshener,” but a “prince” whose life ended too soon at the hands of police, the Rev...
Latest: Klobuchar seeks ‘true justice’ for Black Americans
April 22, 2021 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Latest on the funeral of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man who was shot and killed by a suburban Minneapolis police officer during a traffic stop April 11 (all times local):...
Floyd family, leaders hold prayer service on eve of trial
March 29, 2021 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — National civil rights leaders appeared alongside several family members of TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday named a staffer for U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and member of the Rev...Booker aide tapped for cannabis panel after NAACP pressure
March 24, 2021 GMT
James Brown’s emcee gets funeral sendoff with shiny cape
February 14, 2021 GMTAUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Danny Ray spent years as the emcee for James Brown, and part of his job during performances was draping capes on the Godfather of Soul...
After yearslong separation, Sharpton files for divorce
February 12, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — More than 16 years after separating, civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton has filed for divorce from his estranged wife, Kathy Jordan Sharpton...
Sharpton: Firing officer who killed Andre Hill is not enough
January 5, 2021 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The life of Andre Hill was commemorated Tuesday morning as family and lawmakers called for justice to be brought against the white Columbus police officer who fatally shot the 47-year-old days before Christmas...
Andre Hill’s loved ones mourn loss of ‘a chess-playing mind’
January 1, 2021 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — In late May, Andre Hill and his roommate Donyell Bryant watched in shock, along with the nation, the video of a Minneapolis police officer pressing his knee on George Floyd’s neck for minutes, even as Floyd pleaded that he couldn’t breathe...
AP source: Emanuel’s Cabinet prospects increasingly unlikely
December 10, 2020 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Rahm Emanuel’s chances of landing a top Cabinet post in Joe Biden's administration appear increasingly unlikely after NEW YORK (AP) — John Lewis, Julian Bond and so many other leaders of the civil rights movement are dead; at 78, Jesse Jackson clearly is not the lion he once was...Decades later, Sharpton still insists: No justice, no peace
August 26, 2020 GMT
Decades later, Sharpton still insists: No justice, no peace
August 26, 2020 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The Rev. Al Sharpton sat quietly in his office in late July, watching the final funeral service for Rep...
March on Washington reconfigured to comply with virus rules
August 18, 2020 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Amid widespread protests and unrest over the police killings of Black Americans, a national commemoration of the 1963 civil rights March on Washington is being reconfigured to comply with coronavirus protocols in the District of Columbia...
Many fear Trump’s visit to Tulsa could spark violence
June 18, 2020 GMTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Black community leaders in Tulsa said they fear a large rally by President Donald Trump in the city this weekend could spark violence, and the state's governor asked Trump not to visit the site of a race massacre where up to 300 black residents were killed by white mobs in 1921...
New York governor signs police accountability legislation
June 13, 2020 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law on Friday a sweeping package of police accountability measures that received new backing following protests over George Floyd's killing, including one allowing the release of officers' long-withheld disciplinary records...
Floyd mourned, celebrated as death used as call to action
June 5, 2020 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A mural honoring George Floyd was projected above his golden coffin, where mourners knelt and cried, paused and prayed Thursday at his memorial service...
The Latest: Buttigieg sick, cancels several Florida events
February 26, 2020 GMTCHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The Latest on the 2020 Democratic primary contest (all times local): ...
Sharpton looks to comfort families after police shootings
October 19, 2019 GMTA life taken at the hands of police. A grieving family. A divided nation. A stirring eulogy by the Rev...
Clintons, Mariah Carey turn out for Barbra Streisand concert
August 4, 2019 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Barbra Streisand's return to New York City's Madison Square Garden for the first time in 13 years attracted figures from pop superstar Mariah Carey to Bill and Hillary Clinton for a concert that turned political.
National Cathedral condemns Trump’s ‘racialized rhetoric’
July 31, 2019 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — In unusually forceful language, the leadership of the Washington National Cathedral condemned what it called the "racialized rhetoric" of President Donald Trump and directly compared him to 1950s anti-Communist demagogue Sen...
Democratic candidates urged to offer ideas on justice reform
April 4, 2019 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The Democrats seeking the White House have issued proposals on overhauling education, agriculture, technology and immigration...
MLK holiday represents big moment for 2020 Democrats
January 18, 2019 GMTMonday's observance of what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 90th birthday is emerging as an important moment for Democrats eyeing the White House to talk about one of the most divisive issues in American politics: race...
Calls for respect for black America at Franklin funeral
September 1, 2018 GMTDETROIT (AP) — As Aretha Franklin was remembered at her funeral Friday as a proud black woman who also used her magnificent voice to stand up for the black community she loved, several speakers used the moment to continue to demand respect for black America...
Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson to speak at Franklin funeral
August 24, 2018 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Cicely Tyson will be among the speakers at Aretha Franklin's funeral next week...
Trump’s ex-lawyer Michael Cohen, Rev. Al Sharpton meet ’n tweet
July 21, 2018 GMTNEW YORK -- President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen and the Rev. Al Sharpton have met to renew a long acquaintance -- and they've made a point of letting the public know.
Both tweeted about their Friday get-together but left the subject of it a cliffhanger: "I bet you're wondering what we could be talking about!
Protests block streets after funeral for man shot by police
March 30, 2018 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A standing-room-only crowd packed into a church Thursday to celebrate the life of a 22-year-old black man who was shot to death by Sacramento police, prompting angry protests in California's capital city and a resolve to force changes in police departments around the country...
On King day, Trump mentioned as much as civil rights leader
January 16, 2018 GMTATLANTA (AP) — They had gathered to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr., but many of those who delivered speeches on the national holiday created to honor the slain civil rights leaders focused their remarks on another man: President Donald Trump...
Erica Garner dies; fought police brutality after dad’s death
December 31, 2017 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The daughter of key Black Lives Matter figure Eric Garner died Saturday after a weeklong hospital stay following a heart attack...
Sharpton: Meek Mill represents victims of the justice system
November 28, 2017 GMTPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rev. Al Sharpton said a broken criminal justice system is responsible for Meek Mill's imprisonment and called Monday for the judge who sentenced the rapper to reconsider or step aside...
Feds ‘closely monitoring’ NY police custody death
July 25, 2014 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Friday the Justice Department is "closely monitoring" New York City's investigation into the death of a man who was placed in an apparent chokehold by a police officer arresting him on suspicion of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes.