David Dinkins Flips The Bird To Rangel Birthday Bash Protester

New York’s Democratic political establishment came out in force for embattled U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel on Wednesday, packing a sold-out fundraiser to praise Rangel’s service to the city and state over a 40-year career recently tainted by ethics charges.

“I’ve been to a lot of funerals, and this damn sure isn’t a funeral,” Rangel said to loud cheers.

Hundreds of supporters crowded into the Grand Ballroom at Manhattan’s Plaza Hotel for the fundraiser, which was tied to Rangel’s 80th birthday. Rangel seemed ebullient as he moved through the crowd, joined by his wife and daughter. Singer Dionne Warwick led the crowd in serenading him to her hit song “That’s What Friends are For.”

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