Sharpton Lawyer Helps Fulani
There’s a new player in the ongoing fight between the Independence Party of New York City and their own state party organization: the National Action Network.
A lawyer for NAN, which is run by Al Sharpton, joined the city organization of the Independence Party, which is controlled by Lenora Fulani supporters, in Brooklyn state Supreme Court yesterday. They were arguing against the the state party's efforts to take control of the nominating process within New York City.
“I’m here and NAN is here because whenever the voting rights of minorities are threatened, we have to be on the front lines and do what’s right and what’s right in this situation is very clear,” NAN’s attorney, Michael Hardy, said in a public statement.
Hardy's presence is significant because it shows a willingness to side with Fulani, who is considering a run for mayor. With the support of NAN, and Sharpton, Fulani’s candidacy could get a lot harder to ignore.
I’m waiting to hear back from NAN for further comment.
Here's the statement from Independence Party of New York City:
Arguments Heard in Independence Party of
New York City vs. State PartyNational Action Network Attorney Michael Hardy
Appears as Co-Counsel For City OrganizationsNew York, NY— Attorney’s for the Independence Party organizations of New York City today presented arguments today before Judge Joseph Levine in Brooklyn State Supreme Court objecting to rules changes passed by the state party last June. The state party is attempting to strip members residing in the 5 boroughs from the right to nominate local candidates thru their county committee while allowing members in the remaining 57 counties to continue making these decisions locally.
National Action Network legal counsel Michael Hardy, a leading civil rights attorney, appeared as co-counsel with Harry Kresky for the city organizations of the Independence Party. Hardy stated that “I’m here and NAN is here because whenever the voting rights of minorities are threatened, we have to be on the front lines and do what’s right and what’s right in this situation is very clear.”
Last June, the state Independence Party passed rules changes which selectively discriminate against members of New York City where the majority of black, Latino and Asian members reside, stripping them of the right to nominate candidates for public office – an equal protection violation. Judge Levine reserved decision.
Hardy and Fulani - Peas in a Pod, Again
"Leading" civil rights attorney Michael Hardy and Lenora Fulani were in league together in the 1990s when when she was Chair of the Newmanite front New Alliance Party. Hence the billing her handlers in the Independence Party afford him in its recent statement.
Hardy and attorney Alvaader Frazier (the bald-headed black woman to Fulani's right at the recent press conference) narrated the NAP recruitment video, "A More Perfect Democracy," which was used widely by NAP activists in the late 1980s and early 1990s. As a recent NAP recruit, I had dinner with them both in Spring 1990 in San Francisco.
During the intervening years differences between Hardy and NAP (and successive Newmanite cult front organizations, e.g., Committee for a Unified Independent Party) proved unworkable, mostly. What the IP's press statements proves is that they were not insurmountable. Michael Hardy and Lenora Fulani were, and are once more, two peas in a pod.
Michael Hardy was the managing editor of the National Alliance in the 80's.