WATCH: Historic Civil Rights Figure Clarence Henderson: ‘If You Do Vote For Biden, You Don’t Know History’
"Donald Trump is offering real and lasting change."
By Paul Bois
Aug 27, 2020 DailyWire.com
CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 26: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this screenshot from the RNC’s livestream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, civil rights activist Clarence Henderson addresses the virtual convention on August 26, 2020. The convention is being held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic but will include speeches from various locations including Charlotte, North Carolina and Washington, DC.
Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images
On the third night of the Republican National Convention (RNC), one of the most powerful speeches came from historic civil rights figure Clarence Henderson, who boldly declared that a vote for Joe Biden is a denial of history.
In 1960, Henderson participated in the Greensboro sit-in, a series of non-violent protests where young black American students refused to leave the segregated Woolworth lunch counter after being denied service. Photo below:
During his four-minute speech, Henderson highlighted the accomplishments of President Trump for the black community and recalled his historic fight against racism 60 years ago.
“There have been movements that have changed the course of history. Among the most extraordinary was the civil rights movement,” he began. “Sixty years ago, segregation was legal and enforced. The simple act of sitting at a lunch counter could lead to physical harm, jail time, or worse. I know from personal experience walking into Woolworth’s department store on February 2, 1960, I knew it was unlike any day I had experienced before.”
“My friends had been denied service the day before because of the color of their skin. We knew it wasn’t right,” he continued. “But when we went back the next day, I didn’t know whether I was going to come out in a vertical or prone position, in handcuffs, or on a stretcher, or even in a body bag. By sitting down to order a cup of coffee, we challenged injustice. We knew it was necessary, but we didn’t know what would happen.”
After recalling the threats of violence they faced, Henderson issued a veiled swipe against the Black Lives Matter rioters by noting that the Greensboro sit-in was an actual peaceful protest that instituted lasting change.
“Our actions inspired similar protests throughout the South against racial injustice. In the end, segregation was abolished, and our country moved a step closer to true equality for all. That’s what actual peaceful protests can accomplish,” he said.
Recalling his life accomplishments, including his status as a military veteran and the fact he was the first member of his immediate family to attend college, Henderson proudly declared himself a Republican and supporter of President Trump. To those who would scoff at the thought of a black civil rights icon voting Republican, Henderson recalled the many fine accomplishments of the Republican Party throughout history, such as the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
“Donald Trump is not a politician. He’s a leader. Politicians are dime a dozen; leaders are priceless,” he said. “The record funding Trump gave HBCUs use is priceless, too. So are the record number of jobs he created for the black community and the investment he drove into our neighborhoods with tax incentives and opportunity zones. So are the lives he restored by passing criminal justice reform, where 91% of the inmates released are black.”
“These achievements demonstrate that Donald Trump truly cares about black lives,” he concluded. “His policies show his heart. He has done more for black Americans in four years than Joe Biden has done in 50. Donald Trump is offering real and lasting change, and unprecedented opportunity to rise.”