As Trump Is Awarded Despite Decades of Shameful Actions on Justice Issues and Students Are Excluded From Participating, Kamala Harris Pulls Out Of 2019 Second Step Presidential Justice Forum
Harris will instead discuss criminal justice reform at open event with students and the broader community in Columbia
Tomorrow, October 26, Senator Kamala Harris will join students, Mayor Steve Benjamin, and the broader Columbia community to discuss criminal justice reform instead of participating in the 2019 Second Step Presidential Justice Forum at Benedict College.
“As the only candidate who attended an HBCU, I know the importance that these spaces hold for young Black Americans,” said Harris. “Today, when it became clear Donald Trump would receive an award after decades of celebrating mass incarceration, pushing the death penalty for innocent Black Americans, rolling back police accountability measures and racist behavior that puts people’s lives at risk, and then learned all but ten Benedict students are excluded from participating, I cannot in good faith be complicit in papering over his record. Instead, I’ll host students from all campuses as well as the broader Columbia community to come and discuss this critical issue that I’ve worked on for my entire career.
“Donald Trump is a lawless President. Not only does he circumvent the laws of our country and the principles of our Constitution, but there is nothing in his career that is about justice, for justice, or in celebration of justice.”
Saturday, October 26
Criminal Justice Roundtable with Mayor Steve Benjamin and HBCU Students
When: 1:30 PM ET (Doors Open), 2:00 PM ET (Harris Start Time)
Where: Antisdel Chapel, Benedict College, 1600 Harden Street, Columbia, SC 29204
2019 Second Step Presidential Justice Forum at Benedict College
When: 2:00 PM (Speaking Time)
Where: Benedict College, 1600 Harden Street, Columbia, SC 29204
Canvass Launch at Columbia Field Office
When: 3:00 PM ET (Doors Open), 3:30 PM ET (Harris Speaking Time)
Where: 1919 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201
