AG Holder calls Sutton 1 of nation's 'true heroes'

Breitbart ^ | 01/06/2010 | By MARCUS FRANKLIN

[Responsibility2nd]

NEW YORK (AP) - Thousands of mourners filled Riverside Church on Wednesday for the funeral of Percy Sutton, a former Tuskegee Airman who became a pioneering civil rights attorney representing Malcolm X, a power broker and media mogul.

Among the dignitaries gathered at the church were Attorney General Eric Holder, Gov. David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Sen. Charles Schumer. Two of Malcolm X's daughters also attended.

Speaking to the people gathered in the church's pews, Holder called Sutton "one of the nation's true heroes."

"I admired, respected and worked for him," he continued. "The opportunities given to my generation were paid for by his."

The Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton were among a group that escorted Sutton's relatives into the church. In a chapel near the main sanctuary, Sutton lay in a coffin, dressed in a Navy blue suit, white shirt and a tie.

"The tallest tree in our forest has fallen," Jackson said of Sutton, who died on Dec. 26. He was 89. "You've paved the way, Mr. Chairman. Be at rest," Jackson concluded.

Bloomberg said that city buildings lowered flags in honor of Sutton, and that a building that houses three Manhattan public schools would be renamed the Percy Ellis Sutton Educational Complex.

Attalah Shabazz, one of Malcolm X's daughters, said Sutton was not merely her father's attorney. She said the two were "brethren."

"Even when things weren't on his side, he was always on yours. Am I right?" she said to applause from the sanctuary, which was filled to capacity.

U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel and former New York Mayor David Dinkins also attended. And Stevie Wonder sang his hit, "I'll Be Loving You Always."

[Responsibility2nd]

Yeah, yeah. I know. Should have added the BARF ALERT in the title.

[cranked]

Arguable, on many levels, especially when espoused by the likes of Holder.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

Was Khalid al Mansour in attendance, too?

[SlowBoat407]

Tuskegee Airman - good

Defending Malcolm X - Not so good

Why undo heroic service to this country with a defense of its attempted violent overthrow?

[Dixie Yooper]

I can't believe he didn't announce that Obama would pardon Gentleman Jack Johnson while he had the media's attention.

[Servant of the Cross]

Good question.

Percy Sutton: “I was introduced to (Obama) by a friend who was raising money for him,” Sutton told NY1 city hall reporter Dominic Carter. “The friend’s name is Dr. Khalid al-Mansour, from Texas,” Sutton said. “He is the principal adviser to one of the world’s richest men. He told me about Obama.”