Rev. Al Sharpton threatens to sue Rush Limbaugh over Wall Street op-ed

The Rev. Al Sharpton is ready for a Rush to judgment.

story by New York Daily News

written by Larry McShane

The civil rights leader, typically impervious to insults, said Saturday that he will sue Rush Limbaugh for defamation unless he gets an apology from the right-wing radio host.

Sharpton was outraged by a Limbaugh op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal that blamed him for the 1991 Crown Heights riot and a 1995 killing spree at a Harlem store.

"I am definitely going to prove he makes reckless, unaccountable statements," Sharpton said. "Which is why he was forced out of buying an NFL team in the first place."

Limbaugh lashed out at Sharpton over the right-wing radio host's failed attempt to purchase a piece of the St. Louis Rams. Sharpton, among others, blasted Limbaugh's bid for NFL ownership.

Limbaugh replied in his op-ed piece that Sharpton "played a leading role in the 1991 Crown Heights riot ... and 1995 Freddie's Fashion Mart riot."

Seven people were killed by a gun-toting man who set a fire in the Freddie's Fashion Mart. A Jewish scholar was stabbed to death in Crown Heights three hours after a 7-year-old black boy was fatally struck by a car.

Slanderous, according to Sharpton, who denied both allegations.

"He doesn't have the right to lie and accuse people of crimes," Sharpton said. "He wants to criminalize me.

"That's what got him in trouble. He tried to criminalize the NFL players, calling them Crips and Bloods."

The hard-line conservative also mentioned Sharpton's wrongful accusations in the Tawana Brawley case, and the reverend's "blind hatred" - although Sharpton took no issue with those remarks.

Limbaugh was unavailable for comment Saturday.

To read Rush Limbaugh's op-ed, click above title.