Advertisement

Oct. 28, 2009 / 1:15 PM

Rev. Wright selection sparks controversy

Rev. Wright selection sparks controversy

Rev. Jeremiah Wright, pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC) and former spiritual mentor of democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, speaks at the Nationals Press Club in Washington on April 28, 2008. Wright spoke on black theology and its traditions throughout American history and said that the recent media attacks on himself were really attacks on the black church. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch) | License Photo

BALTIMORE, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- A Maryland chapter of the NAACP is drawing criticism for selecting President Barack Obama's former pastor to speak at its awards dinner, a recipient says.

Perry Ealim, a black businessman who is being honored by the Anne Arundel County NAACP, says many of his friends and associates refuse to attend the Nov. 20 dinner, the Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday.

Advertisement

Ealim, a Republican, says he has been told they are boycotting the dinner because Rev. Jeremiah Wright is going to be the speaker.

"I am happy for your honor, however, I cannot support an organization that would have a racist/bigot such as Mr. Wright as (its) speaker," one of Ealim's friends wrote to him.

The Rev. Wright is the former minister of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago where Obama was a longtime parishioner.

Internet videos of his sermons showed him condemning the United States and saying that the attacks of Sept. 11 were "chickens coming home to roost."

Topics
Barack Obama

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley tests positive for COVID-19

U.S. News // 31 minutes ago

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley tests positive for COVID-19

Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, has contracted COVID-19 and has isolated himself following a positive test, military officials said Monday.

VP Harris marks MLK Day with push for voting rights legislation

U.S. News // 4 hours ago

VP Harris marks MLK Day with push for voting rights legislation

Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Vice President Kamala Harris pushed for federal voting rights legislation Monday during a virtual appearance at a Georgia event to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Four manatees flown from SeaWorld to Ohio zoo for treatment

U.S. News // 42 minutes ago

Four manatees flown from SeaWorld to Ohio zoo for treatment

Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Four manatee calves from SeaWorld in Orlando, Fla., were transported to an Ohio zoo Saturday for treatment.

Two dead in N.C. crash as major winter storm grips eastern U.S.

U.S. News // 1 hour ago

Two dead in N.C. crash as major winter storm grips eastern U.S.

Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Two people were killed after a vehicle crash in North Carolina, likely related to the road conditions, as winter weather affected millions in the eastern United States.

FBI investigating Texas synagogue hostage crisis as terrorist incident

U.S. News // 3 hours ago

FBI investigating Texas synagogue hostage crisis as terrorist incident

Jan. 17 (UPI) -- The FBI said Monday it is now investigating the hostage crisis at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, as a terrorist incident after earlier avoiding using that language.

Tuskegee Airman Charles McGee dies at age 102

U.S. News // 12 hours ago

Tuskegee Airman Charles McGee dies at age 102

Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, a decorated Air Force pilot and one of the last surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen, the all Black squadron of World War II, has died. He was 102.

Dead Texas synagogue hostage-taker ID'd, was British national

U.S. News // 1 day ago

Dead Texas synagogue hostage-taker ID'd, was British national

Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The lone suspect accused of taking four people hostage at a synagogue in Texas on Saturday is dead, authorities said.

Man drowns in Ohio River trying to save naked woman

U.S. News // 23 hours ago

Man drowns in Ohio River trying to save naked woman

Jan. 16 (UPI) -- A man who tried to save a naked woman who jumped into freezing and "turbulent" water of the Ohio River in Kentucky is believed to have drowned during his efforts Thursday, authorities said.

Extreme cold after major snowstorm to send Midwest, East into deep freeze

U.S. News // 1 day ago

Extreme cold after major snowstorm to send Midwest, East into deep freeze

A brutally cold punch of Arctic air is expected to arrive in the United States next week, reinforcing winter across the Midwest and much of the East on the heels of this weekend's major snowstorm.

United States surpasses 850,000 total COVID-19 deaths, 800,000 daily cases

U.S. News // 1 day ago

United States surpasses 850,000 total COVID-19 deaths, 800,000 daily cases

Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The United States has surpassed 850,000 COVID-19 deaths while reporting a seven-day average of more than 800,000 new daily cases nationwide, Johns Hopkins University data showed Sunday.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement