Yusef Salaam, one of the “Central Park Five” who were falsely accused of rape in 1989, pulled out a surprise victory in the New York City Council democratic primary today.
Salaam, a political newcomer, overcame two well-established contenders vying to represent the Harlem district. Salaam faced New York Assembly members Al Taylor, and Inez Dickens, 73. The contest is expected to be a fierce challenge for Salaam who is facing two career politicians, including Dickens who once represented the Harlem district.
Voter turnout was low for New York City’s primary elections but the Central Harlem district outpaced all other NYC districts on Tuesday night, delivering a landslide victory for Salaam.
RELATED: Wrongly-accused man part of ‘Central Park Five’ runs for political office in NY
Salaam secured more than half of the 11,000 primary votes to earn the District 9 seat — a heavily Democratic district.
Salaam was 15 years old when he and four other men of color were falsely accused of raping a White woman jogging in Central Park. Salaam spent seven years behind bars before he was exonerated.
“The system that was trying to make me believe that I was my ancestors’ wildest nightmare, but I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams,” Salaam said to his supporters Tuesday night.
More about Salaam and the election can be found here.
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