Georgia pastor E. Dewey Smith said that religious people who are critical of the LGBT community and the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage are "hypocritical" in a videotaped sermon that was posted Thursday. Watch his statement below.
Watch the First national Movement for Black Lives Convention taking place in Cleveland, OH. July 24-26, 2015.
Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream
More than 1,000 civil rights activists from across the country are expected to gather in Cleveland this weekend for the first ever Movement for Black Lives Convening.
The conference, which takes place from Friday to Sunday at Cleveland State University, will bring together leaders from Million Hoodies Movement for Justice, Ferguson Action and Cleveland Action to discuss next steps in the Black Lives Matter movement.
Read more: Hundreds of Activists Travel to Cleveland for Black Lives Matter Convention
WWE Superstar Mark Henry has issued a statement regarding the racist comments made by Hulk Hogan that were posted online on Friday morning:
"Unfortunately, I'm getting hounded today by media regarding my thoughts and experiences with Hulk Hogan. I'd prefer not to be thrust into this, but as the requests have been significant I feel I have a responsibility to make a statement of some sort. At a minimum to ease my personal burden regarding this topic.
We all know that we have history as it relates to the company, me and this unfortunate subject matter of racial slurs and prejudices. I don't want to and will not re-hash that, but I do want people to know that I do not condone racist behavior or speech of any manner. Again, I do not plan to speak on what happened in the past, but I would like to offer this statement about the current situation and events that hit the news today.
I'm disappointed in the comments made by Terry Bollea (Hulk Hogan). I've known Terry a very long time as both a work colleague and as someone I consider a friend. I'm hurt and offended that he expressed his feelings in the manner and tone that was presented on the tape. I am however, pleased that WWE took swift action in response to his comments and I support the position the organization is taking on this matter: a no tolerance approach to racism."
Andre Anderson says his main task will be to restore trust between Ferguson's predominantly black populace and the Missouri city's mostly white police force.
Anderson, the city's first African-American head of police, believes he's the right man for the job.
Ferguson officials on Wednesday introduced Anderson as the city's latest interim police chief. He will take at least a six-month leave of absence from his commander post with police in Glendale, Arizona, to tackle a department put in the national spotlight by last August's shooting of teenager Michael Brown.
Anderson told reporters his first priority would be "simply to build trust" and enhance the city's recent efforts to get officers to develop positive relationships with people in the areas they patrol.
Read more: Ferguson hires black interim police chief
