Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio is not distancing himself from Rev. Al Sharpton anytime soon.
De Blasio’s office announced on Saturday he will be giving a speech on Monday at the National Action Network’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Policy Forum. The event is taking place in Manhattan.
The mayor has faced criticism over his close relationship with Sharpton, who has attacked the city’s police department for years, claiming the department engages in police brutality and racial profiling. Most recently, Sharpton went after the NYPD for the death of Staten Island resident Eric Garner this summer.
Garner died after officer Daniel Pantaleo held him in a headlock while other officers attempted to arrest Garner for selling untaxed cigarettes. Pantaleo was not indicted on any charges for Garner’s death.
In August, Sharpton warned de Blasio he “would be his worst enemy” if changes were not made to the NYPD, and simply “window dressing” was the only result of talks between himself, the mayor, and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton.
Press Release:
Guidance for Monday, January 19, 2015
On Monday, Mayor de Blasio will deliver remarks at the 29th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Brooklyn. Monday afternoon, the Mayor will deliver remarks at the National Action Network Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Policy Forum in Manhattan.