Former Democratic presidential candidate the Rev. Al Sharpton will come to campus next week to speak about the current state of the Democratic party, College Democrats officers announced last week.
Sharpton, a Pentecostal minister, will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of his party March 3 at 6 p.m. in Ryan Family Auditorium.
“(Sharpton) will continue the series of speakers that are loud and outspoken Democrats who want to change the world,” said Andrew Proksel, a Weinberg junior who serves as president of College Democrats.
The group will distribute about 600 free tickets at the Norris Box Office starting next week, and students will be able to obtain one with proof of a WildCARD, Proksel said.
Known for his extreme leftist views, Sharpton has been a visible character in the civil rights arena for many years. He has led several rallies on social issues such as racial profiling and police brutality as well as some military issues.
After the Democratic primary elections in 2004, Sharpton remained in public view by making speeches across the country and making guest appearances on radio and television talk shows. He also was the host of a reality TV show called “I Hate My Job,” which gave contestants career makeovers.
Although Sharpton also ran for senator in New York in 1994 and mayor of New York City in 1997, he never has been elected to public office.
College Democrats asked Sharpton to be their Winter Quarter speaker because his energetic speeches have the potential to involve students in politics, Proksel said.
“We hope to encourage more students to become more active in politics and question what is going on in the world around them,” he said.
Many students — even some who lean most to the right — said they are interested in what Sharpton has to say.
“I won’t agree with (Sharpton), but it will be interesting to listen to him.” said Ben Snyder, a Weinberg junior who serves as president of the College Republicans. “He’s free to say anything he wants to say, and that type of open honesty is refreshing.”
College Democrats hosted many big-name speakers in the past year, including economist and columnist Paul Krugman and former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean during the fall.
Reach Allan Madrid at [email protected].
