From Caribbean Life

Unlike in previous years when prior to his annual conventions Rev. Al Sharpton announced the names of potential, distinguished speakers to his annual National Action Network convention, this year, the Civil Rights activist seems to be cautious about naming the confirmed members of President Joe Biden cabinet he announced already committed to making an address during the virtual conference.

Last weekend during his hosting of Politics Nation broadcast on MSNBC, the outspoken advocate hinted that 13 individuals including members of Biden’s cabinet had already confirmed invitations to address delegates from April 14 – 17.

However, he did not detail the names or positions of the likely stellar representatives that comprise 15 executive level and nine cabinet members to the Biden administration.

Regardless, with social media access this year, the organization might surpass their usual 10,000 membership attendance as well as figures garnered from coverage from C-Span TV reports.

In past presentations the NAN gathering has attracted supporters who travel from across the nation to Times Square hotels in order to participate in what has developed to be the largest Civil Rights gathering in the entire USA.

Due to the virtual format mandated by pandemic restriction to stem the spread of COVID-19 it is likely a record number of global viewers who will log on to see and hear some of the most outspoken politicians deciding America’s future.

The fact the activist organization will also celebrate the 30^th anniversary of its formation, an all-out attempt to making the 2021 gathering a memorable one will be significant.

NAN members are not unaccustomed to seeing and hearing from national political figures. Since its inception the founder has managed to attract the crème de la crème from a mostly Democratic landscape to include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and candidate and President Barack Obama.

With only a week to the four-day forum all the activist/preacher/TV commentator is saying is that “13 representatives from the Biden administration” are confirmed.

Even without specific names, Sharpton’s membership will likely Zoom in for surprises and empowering speeches from political game-changers they are aligned.

One such likely is Vice President Kamala Harris who made an appearance when she was a presidential candidate vying to defeat Donald Trump.

Along with other Democrats eager to beat the Republican leader who was confident he would win a second term in 2020 to the White House, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Bernie Sanders of Vermont all accepted invitations to speak in 2019.

Among the main attractions then was the newly installed Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez who joined House Minority Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, Stacey Abrams of Georgia, John Delaney of Maryland, Eric Holder, former attorney general, Beto O’Rourke of Texas and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Along with a list of celebrities considered among the elite in entertainment, a record number of elevated women are among the speakers.

The annual has traditionally focused on issues plaguing the Black community.

Among them topics surrounding disfranchised youths, mass incarcerations and prison reform, immigration, housing, transportation, health, education, police brutality, emphasizing curative proposals to solving the inadequacies.

With prevalent anti-Asian sentiments, the current trial of the murderer of Floyd Lloyd and ambivalence of minorities to seek vaccinations against the coronavirus topical issues will emerge to stimulate participation and address the concerns.

Speculations are that the membership would most likely want to confer with 38-year-old, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigeg, the youngest of nine cabinet member of the Biden administration.

Also on the list of preferred speakers, Attorney General Merrick Garland, who was nominated by President Barack Obama but denied approval by the Republican Senate majority to join lifelong members of the Supreme Court.

For more information and registration details log onto www.nationalactionnetwork.net

For more on this story go to: CARIBBEAN LIFE