Sharpton: ‘Poverty ... Is the Basis of Any Spark that Could Have Set this Off’

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:
AL SHARPTON: "No, there are issues that have been going back for years, and there are underlying issues like poverty, like unemployment, that really is the basis of any spot could have set this off. Having said that, there is no excuse or no way we can condone recklessness and violence as the gray family said that, so when reverend west, who's been leading the vigils every night had requested to not come in and then the mayor said she was welcoming, I'm going to go in, I'm going to meet with all of them today, and try to deal with two things. One, how do we help to restore order, and at the same time address the underlying problem. Because, Jose, the other thing we've got to remember is that the initial investigation and initial report supposed to come out Friday. Even if we are able to help stabilize today and tomorrow, depending on that report, we could have a reoccurrence all over again. So some of us that have been through many of these situations lately and for long term need to be able to help give counsel and work with our constituents here on the ground. I have a network there that's very strong, and I'm on radio there six days a week and TV Fridays a week, we have a constituency that we need to be talking to the parents about how to deal with these youngsters, particularly going into the weekend when this Friday report comes out. It may be less than what people want."