Trump tells black congregation he wants to fix ‘many wrongs’

Trump promised those in the Detroit church that his presidency will bring unity, cohesion, peace and prosperity, as well as a civil rights agenda for our time.

Denaria Thorn, who was at Saturday’s church service, said she is still not a Trump supporter and had made a decision to come to the church “expecting an apology” for the patronizing remarks Trump has delivered during his campaign.

Unlike his usual campaign stops where he confidently has addressed mostly white crowds that supported him and his plans for the country, Trump’s visit to Detroit on Saturday was meant to be more intimate.

Emery Northington, 42, didn’t hear Trump’s address inside the church but was skeptical of the presidential candidate’s intentions. Ben Carson, a Detroit native.

Neighborhood resident Felicia Reese, left, talks with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Dr.

Donald Trump called for a “civil rights agenda of our time” when he visited a predominantly black church for the first time.

The visit to Great Faith Ministries International, in the heart of a city famous as a symbol of economic and urban decline, was his first to an African-American church, according to the pastor.

“We are all bound together, and I see this today”, Trump said.

Trump has stepped up his outreach to minority voters in recent weeks as he tries to expand his appeal beyond his GOP base.

Lewis also believes Saturday’s visit shows Trump’s desperation as election day draws closer and he needs the black vote.

But of course, this attack on Trump and his message of unity to Detroit’s African-American community comes at a time when Hillary Clinton’s health and judgment has become an issue for voters after the Federal Bureau of Investigation report released on Friday.

“We’re told he’ll be there for at least an hour and a half and then he’s going to record an interview with the pastor, which will then be edited and broadcast on a black television channel in a couple of days”, said Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher, reporting from outside the church.

While protesters kept a vocal presence outside the house of worship, Trump made a pitch inside for support from an electorate strongly aligned with his opponent
Hillary Clinton.

“Any time that we have somebody that wants to challenge the status quo, they are disruptive to society”, said Mr. Jones, who wore a Trump t-shirt and button. “We talk past each other, not to each other”.

And those who seek office do not do enough to step into the community and learn what’s going on.

“I fully understand that the African-American community has suffered from discrimination and that there are many wrongs that must still be made right”.

When Trump finished his massage, Jackson presented him with a Jewish heritage Bible and draped a Jewish shawl from Israel over his shoulders.

She added that Great Faith’s pastor, Bishop Wayne Jackson, also should not be faulted for inviting Trump – since his interview for his Impact Network “could be a ratings coup” for the cable operation when it is shown next week.

Trump’s efforts thus far to attract greater support from minority groups have largely fallen flat. “Nothing is more sad than when we sideline young black men with unfulfilled potential, tremendous potential”, Trump said, speaking from notes.

African-American community leaders, in particular, have railed against Trump’s dire depictions of minority life and dismissed his message as intended more to reassure white voters that he’s not racist than to help communities of color.

“If he had ignored black voters, people would be setting their hair on fire – even though fewer than 1 percent of black voters are expected to support him”, she said of Trump’s visit to Great Faith Ministries International. But inside, churchgoers said they thought it was important to hear directly from the Republican nominee as they weigh their options.