Recently, CAAP met with Senator Rand Paul to discuss those issues that are most important to our community. The conversation ranged from opinions expressed regarding the government and the Bundy standoff to key social justice issues at the heart of CAAP’s mission, such as putting an end to sentencing inequities. The meeting was not an endorsement of any political figure or party, but rather an opportunity for open discussion and understanding.
A number of local news outlets covered the event, including WREG, Memphis’ local CBS affiliate, which quoted Rev. Owens on the significance of events like this one:
“Question the person running for office, know where they stand on the issues, what are the problems in the African American Community that need to be addressed,” the President of the Coalition of African American Pastors said. “Before you get the black vote, you’re going to acknowledge that we live. You cannot ignore us.”
Speaking to WMC Action News 5, Rev. Owens continued to emphasize that the African-American community will require more than just lip service from candidates hoping to win their votes in the next election:
“If a Democrat says, ‘That’s right, that’s right,’ I think that’s for people who can’t think,” said Pastor Owens. “They can dialog. Let us hear from you. Don’t ignore us. That’s what happened in the last election.”
Below, you’ll find video of the news coverage of the meeting.
