Historic civil rights activist Clarence Henderson has slammed Joe Biden, arguing during Wednesday night's Republican National Convention that "history" should guide black voters toward President Donald Trump - and NOT the Democrat presidential nominee.
During his 2020 RNC speech, lunch counter desegregation activist Henderson endorsed President Trump for the presidential election.
Henderson, who is black, recounted taking part in the 1960 sit-ins at the Woolworth Department Store in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The veteran black rights figure said Trump represents the America he was fighting for.
"Joe Biden had the audacity to say if you don't vote for him 'you ain't black'," Henderson said in reference to the former vice president's controversial interview with radio show host Charlamagne tha God in May.
"Well to that I say, if you do vote for Biden, you don't know history," he declared.
Aside from his own past, Henderson talked about the history of the Republican Party - that of Abraham Lincoln and GOP politicians who pushed for the Amendments that gave black Americans rights.
He also discussed Trump's four-year history with the black community as president.
During his four-minute speech, Henderson pointed to the president's accomplishments for the black community and recalled his historic fight against racism 60 years ago.
“There have been movements that have changed the course of history,” he began.
"Among the most extraordinary was the civil rights movement.
“Sixty years ago, segregation was legal and enforced.
"The simple act of sitting at a lunch counter could lead to physical harm, jail time, or worse.
"I know from personal experience walking into Woolworth’s department store on November 2, 1960, I knew it was unlike any day I had experienced before.”
Clarence Henderson has ALWAYS fought for freedom.#RNC2020 pic.twitter.com/eWgxRb4eb4
— Students For Trump (@TrumpStudents) August 27, 2020
“My friends had been denied service the day before because of the color of their skin,” he continued.
"We knew it wasn’t right.
"When we went back the next day I didn’t know whether I could come out in a vertical or prone position, in handcuffs, or on a stretcher, or even in a body bag.
"By sitting down to order a cup of coffee, we challenged injustice.
"We knew it was necessary, but we didn’t know what would happen.”
After recalling the threats of violence they faced, Henderson took a veiled swipe at the Black Lives Matter rioters of today.
He noted that the Greensboro sit-in was an actual peaceful protest that initiated lasting change.
"Our actions inspired similar protests throughout the South against racial injustice. In the end, segregation was abolished and our country and moved a step closer to true equality for all.
"That is what actual peaceful protests can accomplish,” he said.
Henderson recalling his own life accomplishments, including his status as a military veteran and the fact he was the first member of his immediate family to attend college, before proudly declaring himself a Republican and supporter of President Trump.
He then addressed those who would scoff at the thought of a black civil rights icon voting Republican.
Henderson recalled the many fine accomplishments of the Republican Party throughout history, such as the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
"Donald Trump is not a politician: He is a leader," Henderson asserted.
"Politicians are dime a dozen, leaders are priceless,” he said.
"The record funding Trump gave HBCUs use is priceless too.
"So are the record number of jobs he created for the black community and the investment he drove into our neighborhoods with tax incentives and opportunity zones.
"So are the lives he restored by passing criminal justice reform, where 91% of the inmates released are black."
"These achievements demonstrate Donald Trump truly cares about black lives,” he concluded.
"His policies show his heart.
"He has done more for black Americans in four years than Joe Biden has done in 50.
"Donald Trump is offering real and lasting change and an unprecedented opportunity to rise.”
WATCH:
Author: Jay Greenberg
