There is a ground swell of anger against Reverend Al Sharpton and the Florida chapter of the NAACP over their apparent support of a gang of black teenagers charged with holding and assaulting a 35-year-old Haitian mother and her 12 year old son at gunpoint inside their home at the Dunbar Village housing project in West Palm Beach, Florida. The four black teens are accused of committing heinous crimes. They are charged with beating, raping and sodomizing the victim then making her abuse her own son. Before fleeing, the suspects also reportedly poured chemicals i
nto the boy's eyes and tried to set both victims on fire.
Three weeks ago Rev. Al Sharpton and local representatives of the NAACP held a press conference to throw their support behind the suspects. They told the press that they are upset over the treatment of the black suspects versus the handling of the case of five white teens charged with attacking two white girls after a night of drinking. While the white suspects were given bail, the black teens are being held without bond.
Dozens of blogs have now turned their attention to Sharpton and the NAACP's choice to champion the rights of these youths. Many, including, the Color of Change, are criticizing them from getting behind this case rather than attacking black on black violence or the rights of victims. Sharpton has said the crime is despicable but that should not negate the equal protection rights of these teens under the law. Still, there is an upsurge in victim advocates and civil rights advocates who believe supporting these boys is reckless.
Check out the video for the rundown:
1. Mr. Sharpton choose your battles.
Mike at 2:47PM on Mar 31st 2008