Civil Rights activist DeRay McKesson attended a special Black History Month reception at the White House where he spoke with President Barack Obama about criminal justice reform, the turmoil in Ferguson and what lies ahead in Baltimore for the Freddie Gray trial.
McKesson shared the news on Twitter, following what he called a “robust” conversation. The 30-year-old was part of a first-of-its-kind meeting which brought together leaders from different generations of the Civil Rights movement. Other leaders who reportedly took part in the meeting included Al Sharpton, Cornell Brooks, president of the NAACP, and Democratic Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, The Baltimore Sun reports.
McKesson also shared members of Obama’s cabinet such as Attorney General Loretta Lynch, senior advisor Valerie Jarrett, acting assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division Vanita Gupta, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Munoz, lawyer Neil Eggleston, and director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs, Justice, and Opportunity Roy Austin were present.
The activist, who is also running for mayor of Baltimore, says Obama openly discussed the Black Lives Matter movement, the Flint water crisis and more. The meeting lasted longer than intended Mckesson mentioned to his followers on Twitter, but substance on important issues was achieved.
The meeting also took a light turn when Obama cracked a Chris Rock joke. Mckesson plans to pen in detail more of his meeting. In the meantime, check out some more moments the activist shared via Twitter below.
The meeting w/ @POTUS went well. It was originally scheduled for an hour & he extended it another 30 mins b/c of the robust convo.
— deray (@deray) February 18, 2016
It was powerful to hear C.T. Vivian speak to @POTUS, both as he reflected on how far we've come & pushed @POTUS to keep the fight.
— deray (@deray) February 18, 2016
We also discussed juvenile solitary confinement, #LaquanMcDonald, DOJ jurisdictional thresholds, & ending money bail w/ @POTUS.
— deray (@deray) February 19, 2016
We also discussed consent decrees w/ @POTUS and @LorettaLynch, notably the Ferguson & Cleveland decrees. & the upcoming Baltimore decree.
— deray (@deray) February 19, 2016
We also discussed juvenile solitary confinement, #LaquanMcDonald, DOJ jurisdictional thresholds, & ending money bail w/ @POTUS.
— deray (@deray) February 19, 2016
.@Sifill_LDF pressed @POTUS & @LorettaLynch to ensure that the Baltimore consent decree also included a review of @BaltCitySchools Police.
— deray (@deray) February 19, 2016
I'll write about today's meeting w/ @POTUS in longer form at some point. I'm still processing. And sidenote, C.T. Vivian is a wise soul.
— deray (@deray) February 19, 2016