Reverend Al Sharpton of MSNBC called on all Americans to boycott Corporations are killing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), claiming they are trying to send black people to the “back of the bus.”
Sharpton made the announcement at the Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C. During a march In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. He said this call to action will be made in the spirit of King's legacy as a civil rights activist.
“Why do we have DEI? We have DEI because you've denied us diversity, you've denied us equality, you've denied us inclusion. DEI has been an antidote to the practice of institutional racial bigotry in academia and in these companies. Now, if you want to put it back when we go back,” Sharpton said. “From the bus, we're going to play Dr. King and Rosa Parks on you.”
National Action Network founder and president Rev. Al Sharpton speaks during a news conference and signing of legislation establishing a commission to study reparations in New York on December 19, 2023, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“You must have forgotten who we are,” he added. “We are the ones who took everything and are still here.”
Sharpton announced that his organization, the National Action Network, will participate in a months-long study to investigate companies moving away from DEI policies and their profit margins. After completing the study, they will begin targeting two companies to boycott.
“Within 90 days, we will announce the two companies that we will go after, and we will ask everyone in this country — black, white, brown, gay, straight women, transgender — not to buy where you are disrespectful,” Sharpton said.
Sharpton's announcement comes next Multiple companies Companies like Walmart, McDonald's, Ford, Meta, and others have announced that they will scale back or eliminate DEI initiatives.
Companies have begun canceling DEI programs over the past month. (Getty Images)
Sharpton encouraged his supporters to rally around companies that maintain their presence DEI policies like Costco.
When Sharpton made his proclamation, President Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president. Shortly after being sworn in, Trump signed an executive order suspending him End of DEI programs Through the federal government.
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“We want people to see the story of two cities in one area,” Sharpton said. “On this side of town, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his life to open America to everyone: black, white, gay, straight, it doesn’t matter. We are with Dr. King.”
Sharpton attacked eliminating DEI as being similar to forcing blacks to sit in the back of buses. (Brian Stokes/Getty Images)
Fox News Digital MSNBC has reached out to Sharpton for comment.
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