African American Event Spikes Support for Kennedy

Midtown Manhattan was buzzing with enthusiasm on October 5 as people gathered for an African American Values 2024 event, at Sei Les restaurant, that drew both staunch supporters of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and those eager to learn more about his policies. The evening produced several endorsements for Kennedy, reflecting the growing momentum for his presidential campaign among African Americans.

Larry Sharpe, popular two-time Libertarian candidate for governor of New York, entrepreneur, and podcaster joined the event to emphasize the urgent need for political change in America. 

Sharpe highlighted the divisive nature of the current political climate, noting that the two-party system has led to a perpetual state of conflict. “This is unhealthy,” Sharpe said. “It's totally unhealthy, and now nothing gets solved."

Sharpe praised Kennedy for his potential to disrupt the two-party system, encouraging others to follow suit. Sharpe himself sued former Governor Andrew Cuomo for pushing through an emergency Covid bill in 2020 that unlawfully changed ballot access rules for third parties in New York, resulting in the loss of the Libertarian ballot line that Sharpe and his volunteers had spent much time and expense to gain. He acknowledged that both major parties had a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, but the current dissatisfaction with the system suggested that change was inevitable. 

“The two-party system right now is crushing us,” Sharpe said. “It’s making sure that neither side can fix anything because we constantly fight against each other.”

Sharp pointed out that society is increasingly divided along political lines, affecting everything, including families and friendships. He underscored the urgent need for change, suggesting that the system evolve, whether through independent or third-party candidates.

Sharpe praised Kennedy for taking on this challenge. He expressed hope that Kennedy would continue his efforts to disrupt the two-party system and encourage others to follow suit. “The advantage is that there is a passion right now in America for something different,” he said. “People are getting that the two-party system doesn't work anymore.”

That’s why Sharpe thinks that Kennedy’s timing couldn’t be better. “Timing is right on the money,” he said.

Sharpe believes a lot can happen before the 2024 elections. “If I had to guess, it will not be Trump or Biden on the ticket,” he said. “It will be someone else on both tickets and at least two independents.”

Also at the event, independent US Senate candidate Diane Sare passionately advocated for the dissolution of the two-party system. 

“I'm really concerned about 2024,” Sare said. “I think this may be the most important election in history because the issues are the blowout of the economy and the threat of nuclear war.” She praised Kennedy for being clear in both areas. “I think that the Democratic Party should have really thought twice.”

Sare was a Democrat for many years and ran as a Democrat for Congress in New Jersey. She switched to independent so she could run against Chris Christie. In 2022, Sare ran for US Senate against Chuck Schumer in New York and is running against him again in 2024.

Now, she doesn’t agree with the pro-war Democrats at all. “The party has become so disgusting,” she lamented. In 2022, Sare was put on a Ukrainian hit list for her pro-peace stance, as reported by Jeremy Kuzmarov. 

Sare also shared her perspective on why some people gravitated toward figures like Trump. “People like Trump because they have a sense he cares for them,” she explained. She believes that Trump's having to face numerous legal challenges has made him even more popular with certain voters.

Sare expressed eagerness to support Kennedy’s independent run.

Among the attendees was John Slade, a Howard College graduate, who came to express his unwavering support for Kennedy. “I think he is telling the truth and the truth resonates,” Slade said, highlighting the authenticity of Kennedy’s message. 

Slade admires the Kennedy legacy. “In so many American homes, there’s a picture of at least one Kennedy,” he said. “In my house, it’s next to a picture of Martin Luther King Jr. There’s him and John F. Kennedy. The legacy speaks for itself.”

Honorable Zainabu Sesay-Harrell, founder of the Sierra Leone Nurses Association in New York and a former member of Sierra Leone’s parliament, proudly represented underserved communities at the event. She emphasized the importance of political engagement for people of color.

“I’m very proud to have been invited to this event representing an underserved community, immigrant community, African community, and also the Black community,” Sesay-Harrell said. “I think it’s very important for people of color, especially the Black community to get engaged in politics.”

Founder of Women Empowering Women of KHNIA, Sandra Wesley didn't know that Kennedy was running until recently, and she immediately started supporting him. She has tuned out of the news for a year-and-a-half. She’s following it again because of Kennedy. “I have a love for the Kennedys. Period,” she told The Kennedy Beacon. “I want to do what I can do to help him to be the President of the United States.”

“He is very inspiring to me,” she continued. “He is helping me to step out of my box. I wasn’t going to be involved in politics for a while,” she concluded. 

Alpheaus Marcus, a New York community advocate and a candidate for the New York State Assembly in the 2024 elections, attended the event to assess Kennedy’s potential impact on his community. “I’m here to see what Robert Kennedy is really talking about in regards to my community,” he said. 

From what he’s heard so far about Kennedy’s positions on education, Marcus is convinced. “He understands that education is one of the first steps to becoming productive,” Marcus said. “So, I want to give him a chance.”

Felice Schachter, a dedicated teacher and educational consultant, noted Kennedy’s integrity, accountability, and practical approach to complex problems as reasons for her endorsement. “I love Robert Kennedy Jr. and I want him to be our next president, and I'll do anything to support him,” she said.

Schachter appreciates Kennedy’s drive to hold powerful institutions accountable, including the CIA.

“I’m also really worried for him,” she said, expressing her concern for Kennedy's safety and disappointment that the Biden administration has not provided the Kennedy with Secret Service protection.

Discussing her dissatisfaction with the current political landscape, Schachter was blunt. “I think the Democrats are idiots,” she said. She criticized President Biden's perceived cognitive decline and expressed concerns about former President Trump's ability to lead. She believes that Kennedy’s physical fitness and sharp mind set him apart and make him a contender.

Regarding media coverage of Kennedy, Schachter expressed skepticism. “I don't trust the media,” she said. One of the key points Schachter highlighted was the media’s portrayal of Kennedy as “anti-vax,” when in reality he is merely voicing concerns about proper regulation. “He's just holding people accountable to test and make them safe.”

Dr. Fadia Nortdveit, an adjunct professor of Media Studies at New York University (NYU), came to learn more about Kennedy. “I’m beginning to find out a lot of information that I guess is not out in the media,” she said.  She thinks everyone should have the chance for fair competition in politics. 

Regarding Kennedy’s policies, Dr. Nortdveit offered a balanced perspective. “Some of his policies I can fully relate to, and some of it, I can't because of the different vantage points that we come from,” she said. She added that some disagreement is typical for her with any political candidate, but “the media is making him look worse than he is,” she continued.

Daniella May, a candidate for the New York City Council District in Queens, attended the event because she wanted to learn more.

May came away from the event seeing Kennedy as a common-sense Democrat from the conservative side of the party. She said Kennedy’s independent run would introduce much-needed competition, options and opinions. “There can't be just one rule,” May said. “Look at the mess we are in right now.”