Central Park Five Condemn Trump at DNC

At the Democratic National Convention, members of the exonerated Central Park Five condemned former President Donald Trump for his historical calls for their execution following their wrongful convictions in 1989. Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise, Raymond Santana, and Kevin Richardson emphasized the lasting impact of racial injustice and the need for criminal justice reform. They recounted Trump's 1989 full-page ads in major New York newspapers that demanded the death penalty for them, framing his actions as indicative of systemic racism. Salaam, now a New York City Council member, stated, "He wanted us dead. Today, we are exonerated because the actual perpetrator confessed, and DNA proved it." Their endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted the importance of civic engagement and the upcoming election. The Central Park Five's testimony serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by divisive political rhetoric in the current climate.