The Rev. Al Sharpton leads prominent
African-American clergy in a video calling on Maryland voters to
approve Question 6, the November 6 referendum which asks voters to
uphold – or reject – a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers.
In the nearly 3-minute video released
Thursday by Marylanders for Marriage Equality, Sharpton says fairness
is a hallmark value of the African-American community.
“Family, faith and fairness. These
are the values that have held together the tapestry of the
African-American community over time. It has not always been easy.
And like most families, there are times when we don't agree,”
Sharpton says.
“But we have learned how to stand
together despite our differences,” adds the Rev. Delman Coates,
senior pastor of the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland.
“Acknowledging the importance of protecting the fundamental human
and civil rights of all people.”
“That's why we are united in our
support for Question 6 on the November ballot in Maryland,”
finishes Rev. Dr. Christine Y. Wiley of the Covenant Baptist United
Church of Christ in Washington D.C. (The video is embedded on this
page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
The video debuts on the same day The
Washington Post reported that a
majority of African-American voters in Maryland oppose Question 6.