Al Sharpton

The Reverend Al Sharpton is a minister, civil rights activist and radio talk show host. He is a frequent guest on on tv shows like "The O'Reilly Factor". During the 2004 Presidential elections Sharpton was a candidate for the Democratic nomination.

Sharpton spoke of believing in dreams and breaking the color barrier at the memorial service for the late pop music icon Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009. During the service, he also told Michael Jackson's children, "There wasn't nothing strange about your Daddy. What was strange was what your Daddy had to deal with. But he dealt with it anyway."

Sharpton has been a central figure in drawing attention to a number of racially charged civil rights cases including the case of Amadou Diallo, Tawana Brawley and Jena 6. He called for action following the verdict in the Sean Bell Trial. In 1991 he founded the National Action Network, an organization that aims to increase voter education, offer services to those in poverty and support small community businesses.

In February 2009, Al Sharpton criticized a controversial cartoon published by the New York Post. The cartoon pictured a police officer shooting a chimpanzee and another police officer saying ""They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill". Sharpton said the cartoon could be interpreted as racist since President Barack Obama is the main person associated with the 2009 stimulus bill.TMZ: Sharpton Spanks the Monkey Cartoon (February 18, 2009) The editor-in-chief of New York Post said the cartoon "broadly mocks Washington's efforts to revive the economy" and called Sharpton "nothing more than a publicity opportunist".BBC News: 'Racist' US cartoon causes stir (February 19, 2009)Times: Protesters picket New York Post over chimp cartoon (February 19, 2009)

Sharpton supporters praise him for being a leader. His critics blame him for the deterioration of race relations. Due to his involvement in high profile race issues, he has a reputation for stirring up controversy. Writer David Horowitz once called Sharpton an "anti-Semetic racist". In 2007 Sharpton was accused of bigotry after making comments about Mitt Romney's Mormon beliefs.

In November 2008, federal auditors concluded that Sharpton's 2004 campaign for the U.S. presidency owed $486,803 to the Treasury department, largely for accepting improper donations from the National Action Network. Sharpton plans to appeal the findings.The Huffington Post: Al Sharpton Campaign Owes US Nearly $500,000 (November 15, 2008)

• 1969: Appointed by Jesse Jackson to head up Operation Breadbasket

• 1988: Champions the cause of alleged rape victim Tawana Brawley, a still-controversial case

• 1991: Founded National Action Network

• 1999: Organizes protest over killing of Amadou Diallo by NYPD officers

• January 5, 2003: Announces candidacy for Democratic nomination for President

• April 7, 2007: Calls for the firing of "shock jock" Don Imus