NEW YORK — (CNN) Civil rights activist Al Sharpton met with Bernie Sanders in Harlem Wednesday, part of the Vermont senator’s effort to court support among the African-American community.
The two discussed affirmative action, police brutality and the Flint, Michigan, water crisis.
“The focus was to deal with the litany of issues that African-American and Latino voters are facing,” Sharpton told MSNBC’s Tamron Hall.
The meeting at Sylvia’s, a famed New York City restaurant in Harlem, lasted about 20 minutes and was initiated by Sanders supporter and former NAACP head Ben Jealous, Sharpton said.
Sharpton declined to make an endorsement. Also on Wednesday, an aide close to longtime South Carolina Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn said he will not make an endorsement this week.
“I’m more about agendas than a candidate right now,” Sharpton said on MSNBC. “The agenda must be front and center in South Carolina.”
The activist told journalists following the meeting that he does not want the concerns of African-Americans moving out of the White House after the end of President Barack Obama’s presidency.
Sharpton later tweeted a video of supporters cheering when he and Sanders entered the eatery, which is a popular spot for politicians courting black voters.
He said Sanders sent a symbolic message following his “landslide victory” in New Hampshire by choosing to meet with Sharpton the morning after in Harlem.
Hillary Clinton also was planning to meet with various heads of major civil rights organizations later this month and Sharpton asked Sanders to do the same.
On Wednesday, CNN political commentator Errol Louis said Sharpton was “a good friend to have” in what is shaping up to be a protracted primary fight.
“Any hope of a Democratic victory in November depends on heavy turnout by black voters. So it’s smart politics for Clinton and Sanders to make as many friends among black political leaders as possible,” Louis wrote.
Despite handily winning the New Hampshire primary Tuesday night, Sanders is still struggling to gain significant support among African-American voters. An NBC/Wall Street Journal Marist poll released in late January showed Sanders struggling to attract support among African-American voters in South Carolina, garnering 17% compared to Clinton’s 74%.
Appearing on ABC’s “The View” later Wednesday morning, Sanders was asked how he planned to gain African-American votes.
Sanders responded by saying his policies on criminal justice reform and addressing youth unemployment would appeal to the community.
“Don’t tell me we do not need to invest heavily in the African-American community and create decent-paying jobs,” he said.
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