Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Vice President Kamala Harris set to speak in Midtown
By
Arun Venugopal
Published Apr 14, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock
By
Arun Venugopal
Published Apr 14, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to deliver the keynote address at the National Action Network’s annual convention on Friday in Midtown.
In a statement, the Rev. Al Sharpton, the civil rights organization's president, said the vice president’s scheduled remarks represent “a significant moment in a significant year, as we work together not only to advance civil rights but preserve those that we fought to get in the first place.”
Ten members of the Biden-Harris administration are set to speak over the course of the four-day convention, including U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Alejandro N. Mayorkas, who heads the Department of Homeland Security.
One convention speaker has already generated headlines.
Speaking at the convention on Wednesday, Susan Rice, the director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, said, “In the last 20 years, the U.S. had a shortfall of $16 trillion due to discrimination against Black Americans,” in a statement that generated pushback from conservatives in social media.
Harris and Sharpton have appeared together before.
Last year, the pair attended a funeral for one of the victims of the mass shooting in Buffalo, where Sharpton urged Harris to speak.
And in February, Sharpton delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Tyre Nichols, who died soon after a violent beating at the hands of Memphis police officers. Harris also spoke.
“This violent act was not in the pursuit of public safety. It was not in the interest of keeping the public safe,” Harris said. “Tyre Nichols should’ve been safe.”
The convention is being held at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. Harris is scheduled to speak at noon.
Tagged
al sharpton
Kamala Harris
new york city
manhattan
Race And Justice Unit
Arun Venugopal
Arun Venugopal is a senior reporter for the WNYC and Gothamist Race & Justice Unit who focuses on issues of race and bias in our region. His reporting also tackles the topics of immigration, faith, and inequality. Arun serves as the regular fill-in host of the station's "U.S. of Anxiety" program. Arun was the creator and host of Micropolis, a series about race and identity. He is a contributor to NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered. He has appeared on PBS Newshour, On the Media and Studio 360, and has been published in The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and Salon. He also frequently serves as an emcee and moderator of panel discussions on race, religion, and identity issues and has been a guest host of NPR's "Fresh Air." He lives with his family in Queens.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. ET
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
News
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .