The “fierce urgency of now” that Martin Luther King Jr. espoused was on full display across the city where preachers and politicians pressed for change in the new age of Trump.
On a day when America honored the man hailed as the Drum Major for Justice, New Yorkers and many across the nation protested a President derided as the poster boy for bigotry.
City and state officials ripped President Trump as they honored King at the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network’s Harlem headquarters — blasting the President for labeling Haiti and African nations “shithole countries,” and calling him everything from a racist to a maniac.
“It is embarrassing that this President comes from New York,” said Sharpton, who went on to call Trump’s vulgar comment a “national security threat” that could spark ISIS and Al Qaeda recruitment in Africa.
Gov. Cuomo blasted Republicans who said they couldn’t recall the remark, saying there are words you don’t forget and that was one of them — especially if “that person is the President of the United States and you are sitting in the White House.”
“Our outrage, our activism is more important now than it’s ever been,” Cuomo told the crowd. “On two tracks: Number one, stand up and condemn what they’re doing in Washington because it’s vile and repulsive and ugly and un-American. And second, lead by example, and let’s improve our place where we are.”
The holiday ceremony was an hours-long Trump trashing service, where speaker after speaker derided the President’s policies.
Mayor de Blasio criticized Trump’s tough immigration talk, and embraced the new Americans that helped the country thrive.
“If you are a Haitian-American, thank you,” de Blasio said. “Thank you for your contributions to this city and this country. If you come from Africa and you have come here to make us better, thank you. If you left violence in El Salvador and now are helping to create a better community here in New York City, thank you. That is what we should be saying on a day that celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer said he wanted to introduce Trump to the story of a fellow New Yorker — Private Emmanuel Mensah, an immigrant from Ghana who served in the Army before running into a burning Bronx building to save four children before he ultimately perished.
“He ran into the house, bravely saved four children and then gave his life. Mr. Trump, I want you to tell Mr. Mensah that his country isn’t worth it, that our country isn’t worth it,” Schumer said. “Donald Trump can talk and talk. Private Mensah’s very being is the repudiation of what President Trump said this week.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said Trump’s comments were not just beneath the Oval Office but “beneath the dignity of humanity.”
“Our country is better than this, even if our President isn’t,” she said. “And we have to call out these racist comments for what they are and fight back with political action.”
And as the pols ripped Trump, they also urged people to mobilize on their anger — all the way to the voting booth.
“Let us remember that all of us this November must march in there with the spirit of Dr. King and vote and turn it around and contain this fool that sits in the White House that needs to be removed because he does not represent our interests,” said Public Advocate Letitia James.
At a memorial service in Washington D.C., King’s son Martin Luther King III also ripped Trump — but said there was still hope for him, citing the late segregationist and former Alabama Gov. George Wallace.
“George Wallace was a staunch racist and we worked on his heart and ultimately George Wallace transformed,” King said.
“We got to find a way to work on this man’s heart.”
Monday marked the first King holiday of Trump’s term.
Former President Barack Obama made it an annual tradition to participate in a service event. Former President George Bush attended church and cultural services, and invited African-American clergy to the White House for lunch.
Trump spent the day at his resorts in Florida after urging Americans last Friday to observe the day with acts of civic and community service.
There were no public events listed on his schedule, but he spent several hours at his golf club before returning to the White House Monday night.
In New York, thousands marked the holiday with a rally in Times Square, where demonstrators wrapped themselves in Haitian flags and protested political ignorance.
Holding signs that said, “Dump Trump,” and “Go Back to Your S—hole,” demonstrators urged the President to listen to some of King’s speeches.
“It’s important for America and Donald Trump to be re-educated,” said Roselaure Jorvelus, 36, a nurse practitioner from the Bronx.
“America stands on shoulders of my forefathers. As a Haitian-American, I’m a proud Haitian. It was very disrespectful. It was a disservice to the Haitian community and the African community to be called s—hole countries. This is my first rally ever. I just had to come — it was personal. We helped build this country. We are the American dream.”
“It’s important to show the nation that Haitians are a force,” said Nehemie Francois-Kamare, of Trenton, the red-and-blue Haitian flag shielding her from the cold.
“Everyone must know we are one nation and we’re stronger together. I am disgusted but I am not surprised given his track record. It’s great we’ve come together on this important day, but our President is disgracing our nation. We’re no longer a progressive country. If Martin Luther King Jr. were here today, he’d be depressed, too.”
With News Wire Services
