Rev. Al Sharpton Says Ray Kelly Should Hold Gun Violence Summit

Civil rights activist responds to NYPD commissioner's criticism of local black, Latino leaders.

As gun violence rises in New York City, tensions between community leaders and the NYPD are as well.

Rev. Al Shaprton yesterday called on NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly to hold a summit on gun violence. The call comes days after Kelly blasted local black and Latino leaders for their lack of response to the growing bloodshed, according to the New York Daily News.

“People are dying. The commissioner threw out the gauntlet to leadership and elected officials,” said Sharpton. “Now, let’s come to the table and see what we can solve.”

The week of the 4th of July was a deadly one in the city as over 77 people were shot.

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“Many of them will speak out about stop-and-frisk” but are “shockingly silent when it comes to the level of violence right in their own communities,” Kelly told reporters. “Ninety-six percent of our shooting victims are people of color, yet these community leaders are not speaking out about that.”

Kelly signaled Saturday that he would work with Sharpton. “We have worked with Rev. Sharpton in the past on the scourge of gun violence and look forward in doing so again,” Kelly said.