President Joe Biden virtually addressed the Rev. Al Sharpton's racial justice conference on Friday, telling a sympathetic crowd 바카라we've kept our promises바카라 as he ramps up efforts to energize Black voters who will be vital to his reelection bid this fall.
Addressing several hundred attendees at the annual National Action Network Convention in New York, Biden ticked through a long list of what he said were some of his administration's key accomplishments for Black Americans. He detailed providing federal public works funding to reconnect city neighborhoods that were divided decades ago when highways were built, and also investing billions in historically Black colleges and universities.
바카라Together, we've kept our promises to make some of the most significant investments in the Black American community ever,바카라 Biden said. He also noted his pardoning thousands of inmates convicted on federal marijuana charges, combating racial discrimination in the real estate market and canceling student debts for millions of Americans.
He called that 바카라transformational change바카라 but said, 바카라We know there's much more work to do.바카라 He said he still hoped to sign major legislation expanding voting rights and the George Floyd Act, a police reform package named for a Black man whose murder by Minneapolis police in 2020 sparked widespread racial justice protests and calls for federal legislation.
Biden is facing a November rematch with Republican former President Donald Trump, who has tried to step up his own a ppeal to Black voters.
Trump has suggested that his four criminal indictments have boosted his standing with members of the key voting bloc because they see him as a victim of discrimination 바카라 comparing his legal jeopardy to the historic legacy of anti-Black prejudice in the U.S. legal system. The former president has also repeatedly compared himself to anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, arguing that federal and state prosecutors have targeted him and his businesses for political reasons.
Although Biden historically enjoys high support and approval from Black Democrats, 45% of Black Americans said they disapprove of the way Biden is handling his job as president in March, according to polling by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Just over half said they approve.
Biden didn't mention Trump by name in his speech Friday, but referred to opposition by top Republicans to abortion rights and expanded access to the ballot box in stressing, 바카라There are real threats we face.바카라
바카라There are more extreme voices out there who simply don't want to see people of color in the future of our country,바카라 the president said.
Terrence Floyd, George Floyd's brother, said it meant a lot to hear Biden pledge to keep pursuing reforms in his sibling's name.
바카라For him to still be adamant on passing that bill, I appreciate it,바카라 he said. 바카라He's got the Floyd family behind him.바카라
The act passed the then-Democrat-controlled House in 2021, but stalled in a Senate where Republicans held a majority.
Others in the crowd were equally enthusiastic. About half the audience stood and applauded as the president approached the podium at a White House auditorium that was seen on a livestream.
Biden's virtual speech capped a week of appearances from administration officials and other prominent local and national leaders. Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the convention in person last year.
Elaine Duval, of New York City, said she found the president to be genuine in his appeals to Black voters and that she doesn't 바카라think that he has gotten the praise and merit that he deserves.바카라 But she also suggested that Biden missed an opportunity to address the suffering of Palestinians amid Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza strip.
바카라Oppression of any people anywhere is oppression of humanity,바카라 Duval said. 바카라And Black people, the Black race, we have been used to oppression and subjugation. I wish he had mentioned that because they are our kinfolk. He should bring the power of the presidency to bear upon that.바카라
As he travels the country campaigning for reelection, Biden has frequently faced protesters decrying his administration's handling of the war in Gaza.
Sharpton, who has regularly convened a small group of civil rights leaders at the White House on issues affecting Black Americans, introduced Biden by recounting his years of engagement with the National Action Network.
바카라I give that background so people won't think he's just doing his viral speech to get votes,바카라 Sharpton said.
He also took a swipe at Trump, saying, 바카라There are those that want our voters, that want to take us for granted and show us some gold sneakers and other foolishness."
바카라We want to know about concrete things,바카라 Sharpton said.
Franklin Malone, a member of NAN's Washington chapter, said he would have liked to hear Biden speak more about addressing incarceration rates in the Black community, beyond marijuana offenders.
바카라We can press for what we need. But at least he's on the right track,바카라 Malone said. 바카라Sometimes a half a chicken is better than no chicken at all.바카라
Malone said Biden didn't sound like a politician taking the Black vote for granted, as Trump has suggested top Democrats do.
바카라The president is in a position to empower us to empower him,바카라 Malone said. 바카라He needs our vote. We need him.바카라
