In an effort to clear his name in recent criticism on the NYPD's stop-and-frisk procedures, Commissioner Raymond Kelly spoke to his toughest opposition at the National Action Network convention on Wednesday.

Kelly adamantly defended stop and frisk and said it saved lives, according to the New York Daily News. 

“I believe this tactic is a lifesaver,” Kelly said. “It is also lawful and constitutional.”

He also said the NYPD's controversial tactics are justified because African-Americans are disproportionately the victims of gun violence. “African-Americans, who represent 25 percent of the city’s population, made up 64 percent of the murder victims and 71 percent of the shooting victims last year,” Kelly noted.

“As a city, we cannot stand idly by in the face of these facts.”

Rev. Al Sharpton said he was still against the NYPD stop-and-frisk procedures after Kelly made his remarks. 

“We’re still vehemently opposed to stop and frisks,” Sharpton told his supporters and Kelly. “You and I will continue to have that debate.”

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  (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)