NAACP President & CEO Releases Statement on Guilty Verdict in the Ahmaud Arbery Trial

NAACP President & CEO, Derrick Johnson released the following statement today after Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William Bryan Jr. were found guilty of murder in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery.

The verdict in the trial over the killing of Ahmaud Arbery is long overdue. Ahmaud Arbery's death was unnecessary and fueled by racist ideologies deeply engrained into the fabric of this nation. Generations of Black people have seen this time and time again, with the murder of Emmett Till, Trayvon Martin, and many others. The actions and events perpetrated by the McMichaels and William Bryan leading up to Ahmaud's death reflect a growing and deepening rift in America that will be its undoing if not addressed on a systemic level. We must fix what is genuinely harming our nation: white supremacy. To address and begin to repair the harm and trauma caused by centuries of racism, violence, and murder, we need stronger federal and state actions to address and eliminate outdated racist policies, like citizens' arrest.

Although we still grieve the senseless murder of Ahmaud, today, we stand in solidarity with the family and Brunswick community and celebrate the guilty verdict that will bring some comfort and sense of justice to Mr. Arbery's family, friends, and community.

NAACP Urges Professional Athletes In Free Agency to Avoid Texas

In response to the most recent attacks on voting rights and reproductive care, the Association sent an open letter to the National Players' Leagues, urging free agents to reconsider moving their families to a state that is not safe for anyone.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson:

"We must stand up for what is right and protect our loved ones from the dangerous attacks on freedoms taking place in Texas."

Signed by NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson and NAACP Texas President Gary Bledsoe, the letter was delivered to the National Football League Players Association, Women's National Basketball Player's Association, National Basketball Players Association, Major League Baseball Players Association, and National Hockey League Players' Association. The letter calls on athletes to consider not only their influential platforms as professional athletes, but as parents and role models for our children and those in their personal lives. >/p>

"As we watch an incomprehensible assault on basic human rights unfold in Texas, we are simultaneously witnessing a threat to constitutional guarantees for women, children and marginalized communities," write the authors. "Over the past few months, legislators in Texas have passed archaic policies, disguised as laws, that directly violate privacy rights and a woman's freedom to choose, restrict access to free and fair elections for Black and brown voters, and increase the risk of contracting coronavirus. If you are a woman, avoid Texas. If you are Black, avoid Texas. If you want to lower your chances of dying from coronavirus, avoid Texas."

"When all else fails, we must look within and answer the call to protect the basic human rights and democratic values which are fundamental to this country" said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP. "Professional athletes serve as some of our country's greatest role models and we need them to join us to fight for democracy."

Over the past few months, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed into law extreme voting laws to severely restrict the right to vote, empowered vigilantes with the authority of the law to restrict women's freedom to make choices about their bodies, and has most recently codified redistricting maps that aim to disenfranchise Black, brown, and Latinx voters. Recently released data from the 2020 census shows that people of color have driven 95% of the Texas population growth.

"The continued attacks on people of color in the state of Texas are reprehensible," said Gary Bledsoe, President of the Texas NAACP. "In the absence of federal action, advocates in Texas must stand together and use all of the tools at their disposal to ensure that basic human rights are delivered to the people of Texas. We must fight for our Constitution and the freedoms that it guarantees to all Americans."

NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson Statement on U.S. Border Patrol Attacking Haitian Refugees

NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, released the following statement regarding the images and videos of U.S. border patrol attacking Haitian refugees with whips:

This cruelty is utterly sickening. The events that took place today are all too familiar to those that are aware of America's ugly history. The actions we witnessed today were inhumane under the last administration, and that sentiment remains. No person fleeing poverty and hunger should be treated in this egregious manner. For far too long, the Haitian community has endured mistreatment at the hands of our nation. The administration has got to grant temporary protected status (TPS) to those seeking refuge. The actions of the U.S. border patrol are deplorable and should be investigated and reprimanded. Our country claims to be better than this — we must show it.

NAACP President CEO & President statement on Derek Chauvin sentencing

NAACP President CEO & President released the following statement on the Derek Chauvin sentencing:

Our hearts are with the Floyd family today. While George Floyd’s murderer was held accountable in court, we know that no amount of jail time is going to bring Gianna Floyd’s father back.

Legislation is urgently needed to ensure that what happened to George Floyd over a year ago will not happen again a year from now, and devastate another family. We need a federal standard in policing to protect the lives of those often targeted.

NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, Statement on Juneteenth Bill

NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson releaesed the following statement on President Biden signing a bill making Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday.

"As we work towards substantive pieces of legislation to protect voting rights and create transparency and accountability in policing, we are encouraged by today's signing of the Juneteenth bill. It is a reminder that freedom is an ongoing fight."

NAACP PRESIDENT AND CEO, DERRICK JOHNSON STATEMENT ON VERDICT IN DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL

NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson released the following statement on the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial:

“While justice landed Derek Chauvin behind bars for murdering George Floyd, no amount of justice will bring Gianna’s father back. The same way a reasonable police officer would never suffocate an unarmed man to death, a reasonable justice system would recognize its roots in white supremacy and end qualified immunity. Police are here to protect, not lynch. We will not rest until all in our community have the right to breathe.”

NAACP PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT ON RECKLESS KILLING OF DAUNTE WRIGHT

NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, released the following statement in response to the reckless killing of Daunte Wright:

“Daunte Wright was shot and killed yesterday, just north of where George Floyd was suffocated less than a year ago. Both were fathers, both were Black men, both died at the hands of police. Whether it be carelessness and negligence, or a blatant modern-day lynching, the result is the same. Another Black man has died at the hands of police.”

NAACP PRESIDENT DERRICK JOHNSON CALLS ON CONGRESS TO BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS

After the tragic mass shootings in both Georgia and Colorado, NAACP President Derrick Johnson has released the following statement asking for Congress to ban assault weapons:

“We cannot return to “normal”. Normal in America means endless mass shootings in churches, schools and even grocery stores. Normal in America means crushing trauma for families and communities across the nation. Normal in America means that only 83 days into 2021, 102 mass shootings have already occurred at the hands of gunmen.

Assault weapons are military-style weapons of war, made for offensive military battlefields. They do not belong in the hands of ordinary citizens.

President Biden, we agree with you. We can no longer ‘wait another minute’ to act on the gun violence epidemic. That is why the NAACP is calling on Congress to immediately ban assault weapons. Preventable deaths have been the tragic result of paralyzed progress. As our nation prepares to reopen, the lives of innocent Americans depend on expeditious action.”

NAACP SUES PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR SYSTEMATICALLY TRYING TO DISENFRANCHISE BLACK VOTERS

The NAACP sued President Trump, his presidential campaign, and the Republican National Committee (RNC) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for systematically trying to disenfranchise Black voters in states across the country.

The lawsuit alleges that President Trump, the Trump campaign, and the RNC have engaged in a coordinated conspiracy to disenfranchise Black voters by disrupting vote-counting efforts, lodging groundless challenges during recounts, and attempting to block certification of election results through intimidation and coercion of election officials and volunteers. These steps to delegitimize our democracy were targeted in cities across the country with high numbers of Black voters. These actions are a clear violation of the Voting Rights Act and the Ku Klux Klan Act.

Derrick Johnson, President of the NAACP said, “President Trump and his allies have repeatedly and unsuccessfully tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election results and undermine confidence in our democracy. Across the country – from Detroit to Milwaukee, and Atlanta to Philadelphia – they have targeted areas with large numbers of Black voters and made baseless, racist claims to attempt to not count their votes. While all of the allegations have repeatedly gotten thrown out of court and no judge has found any evidence of election fraud, we cannot sit back and let these actions go unaccounted for. In order to protect the constitutional rights of millions of Black Americans, and ensure that our democracy is not delegitimized, we are bringing this lawsuit to protect the integrity of Black voters and the democratic process in which they participated and made their voices heard in record numbers.”

The NAACP joined a lawsuit that was filed on November 20th by the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), on behalf of the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and three Detroit residents.

NAACP BLAST AUTHORITIES LACK OF RESPONSE IN UNTIMELY DEATH OF QUAWAN “BOBBY” CHARLES

The unusual and untimely death of 15-year old Quawan “Bobby” Charles is heart-wrenching and infuriating. The lack of transparency and urgency put forth by the authorities in Louisiana is a moral failing in the face of a family looking for answers to a loved one’s suspicious death. The dismissal of the Charles family’s concerns by law enforcement and the refusal to issue an amber alert are responsibilities that they failed to implement in a time-sensitive situation involving a minor.

As more information about this case continues to unravel, we expect and demand that the family is presented with nothing less than justice from those entrusted with managing this case.

Our hearts go out to those affected by this tragic loss. We stand in solidarity with the family and those seeking justice for Quawan and will remain vigilant to ensure the truth is reached.

NAACP DEVASTATED BY PASSING OF JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG

Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP issued the following statement tonight on the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

The NAACP family is devastated by the passing tonight of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Justice Ginsburg was an incredibly accomplished civil rights lawyer who devoted her entire legal career to the pursuit of equal justice and eliminating discrimination of all types. When President Bill Clinton nominated her to the Supreme Court, he called her the “Thurgood Marshall of gender equality law.”

Justice Ginsburg’s 27-year tenure on the Supreme Court was marked by a passion for justice and the rule of the law. Her long, remarkable record includes her legendary opinions involving disability rights in Olmstead v. LC, and gender equality in the military, United States v. Virginia. She was also known for her powerful dissents, many of which she delivered from the bench. These include dissents in the voting rights decision of Shelby County v. Holder, the gender equity case of Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire Company Co., and the affirmative action case of Ricci v. Stefano.

Our nation has lost its north star for justice tonight. As we move forward in the weeks and months ahead, we must honor Justice Ginsburg’s memory and extraordinary contributions and remember that the Supreme Court is the ultimate guardian of all of our civil rights and liberties.

AFSCME, NAACP LAUNCH HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP TO MOBILIZE BLACK VOTERS

Partnership kicks off with a joint four-state presidential radio buy on African American radio stations in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan and North Carolina.

WASHINGTON – AFSCME and the NAACP launched on Saturday two radio ads which will run in the Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Detroit, Flint, Raleigh, Charlotte and Greensboro markets through election day. Both the AFSCME and NAACP ads slam President Trump’s failures to combat COVID-19, while the virus continues to exact a brutal and disproportionate toll on the Black community.

“While Trump lied, Black people died,” says the NAACP ad before urging voters to request a ballot and make a plan to vote. “Trump spends his time golfing, while COVID-19 hits the black community hard,” says the voiceover in the AFSCME ad (paid for by AFSCME’s PAC, AFSCME PEOPLE) contrasting Trump’s record with that of Joe Biden’s to protect health care. The significant ad buys jumpstart a partnership between the two organizations that will focus on Black voter education and mobilization based on what is at stake in November and beyond for communities of color.

The partnership marks a new chapter in the shared activism and close bond between the civil rights community and AFSCME. Together, the NAACP and AFSCME are addressing the deep-seated racial injustices and corrupt incompetence which have forced Black communities across the country to bear the brunt of the health and economic crises facing the nation.

“The Black vote will determine the outcome of this consequential election, and we must ensure that we use this influence to elect leaders who will empower our communities,” said NAACP President Derrick Johnson. “This historic collaboration is proof that our communities are united during these critical times. From the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 to ongoing police brutality experienced by black people, we must turn out to vote in November — and every election — if we are to achieve the representation and policy changes that will protect our communities. We must ensure that every voice is heard because our lives and future depend on it.”

Listen to the ad here: https://blackvoiceschangelives.org/press/ 

“I can’t recall an election where fundamental issues of racial justice have been more at stake,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “It’s going to take overwhelming turnout among African Americans and communities of color to prevail in November. That’s why AFSCME has entered into this unique partnership with the NAACP. By combining our resources and expertise, we will mobilize voters in targeted states who are tired of leaders who stoke racial resentment and head for the links while Black and brown people die by the thousands. This collaboration — between our two organizations that have done so much to advance civil rights, labor rights and human rights — will help ensure that voters are informed and empowered this November to elect leaders who will invest in all our communities and unite us around shared values.”

Listen to the AFSCME ad here: https://youtu.be/rpWh6P2fGmI

NAACP statement on Biden picking Kamala Harris as his running mate

Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, released the following statement on the selection of Senator Kamala Harris as a candidate on the presidential ticket of a major political party:

Throughout the history of this nation, Black women have been at the forefront of moving us toward a more representative and unified society. From the voting booth to grassroots movements, Black women have fought for and uplifted this country with their vote and voice. But their representation in the highest levels of government has never matched their unwavering participation in our democracy. Today’s announcement of a Black woman, Sen. Kamala Harris, as the first vice-presidential candidate of a major political party, breaks down one of these barriers in historic proportions. That it comes at a time in which Black Americans face dueling threats from a global health crisis and ingrained racism is all the more powerful.

This moment is long overdue. For far too long, we have undervalued Black women’s political power and their role in shaping our culture, communities, and country. The selection of Sen. Harris as a vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket is the culmination of the tireless work of Shirley Chisolm, Charlene Mitchell, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, Barbara Jordan, Ida B. Wells, and Myrlie Evers in their fight for representation and equality. Their sacrifices, told and untold, made it possible for Sen. Harris to make political history today. Regardless of party affiliation, every American should be proud that this milestone was finally reached.

While we do not support a political party, we recognize the overwhelming significance of this moment and what it means for this nation. We must not allow coverage of Sen. Harris’ historic candidacy to decline into ugly racist and sexist stereotypes and attacks. We call upon the media, members of both political parties, and the people of this nation to honor this historic moment and treat Sen. Harris’s candidacy with the respect and esteem it deserves throughout this election season.

As the presidential campaign progresses, the NAACP remains steadfast in our pursuit of full participation in democracy for Black people. With our ongoing commitment to dismantling institutional injustice, uplifting Black culture, and maximizing our economic and political power, we know that this pivotal moment sets the stage for our continued work to realize equal justice.

NAACP ANNOUNCES VIRTUAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON

Virtual programming on 57th anniversary of March on Washington will advance a bold Black agenda; honor the legacy of John Lewis 

BALTIMORE — The NAACP announced that it will lead a “2020 Virtual March on Washington” alongside civil rights leaders, activists, and families of those who died at the hands of law enforcement, to call for police accountability reform and mobilize voters ahead of the November elections. 

The virtual march — which will bring forward a bold National Black agenda  — will take place on August 28th, 2020, the 57th anniversary of the historic March on Washington, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. Accompanying virtual events with music performances and keynote speakers will also take place on the nights of August 27th and 28th.

“To meet both the urgency and unique circumstances of this political moment, we are driving this movement from protest to policy to power with all the innovative tools at our disposal, including and especially through virtual organizing,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of NAACP. “Our 2020 Virtual March on Washington is about asking everyone — from protesters in the streets to elected officials at all levels of government — to commit to pursuing a new agenda that prioritizes equity, justice, and equal opportunity for all. As we approach the November elections, we must mobilize to vote like we’ve never done before.”

This inclusive day of action seeks to channel the soaring energy from this national moment of reckoning and will call for reforms of the systems, structures, policies, and attitudes that enable police brutality, racial discrimination, and interpersonal racism. The NAACP will also execute a robust civic engagement effort with multiple levers of change, including registering participants to vote and encouraging them to participate in the Census. 

“With the heartbreaking passing of civil rights titan John Lewis, good-willed people all across this country can participate in this march to honor his life and legacy and commit to pursuing a bold Black agenda that advances the unfulfilled promise of our democracy,” President Johnson continued. “We must consider the lives we are attempting to forge for our families and communities. We must act in our best interest to knock down the walls of injustice and grant future generations access to higher social, economic, and political power. This is what the 2020 Virtual March on Washington is all about.”

A series of virtual and in-person programming will take place on the following dates:

• THE CALL: Thursday, August 27, 8-10pm ET: There will be virtual programming carried on television networks and key social media platforms, including musical performances, remarks from young activists and emerging organizations, and other entertainment. 

• THE MARCH: Friday, August 28, 11am – 3pm ET: There will be a Virtual March on Washington, streamed across key social media platforms and television networks. Led by Martin Luther King III, and the families of Black people who have died at the hands of police officers, thousands will virtually March on Washington to restore and recommit to the dream Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. defined in 1963. The virtual march will be in partnership with a socially distant, in-person march for those in the D.C. area.  

• THE CHARGE: Friday, August 28, 9-11pm ET: The event will conclude with a night of virtual programming, including a major keynote address and musical performances by award-winning artists. 

Coming days after both the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention, the 2020 Virtual March on Washington will set forth a bold new Black agenda — advocating for comprehensive police accountability reform, economic empowerment, and equitable access to health care, education, and the voting booths. For more information, visit 2020march.com. 

NAACP statement on passing of Rep. John Lewis

The NAACP mourns the passing of Congressman John Lewis, a resounding civil rights giant. He fought harder and longer than anyone in our nation’s continuing battle for civil rights and equal justice.

Often called “one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced,” John Lewis dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls “The Beloved Community” in America. By 1963, Lewis was dubbed one of the Big Six leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. At the age of 23, he was an architect and a keynote speaker at the historic March on Washington in August 1963.

Along with Hosea Williams, John Lewis led over 600 peaceful, orderly protestors across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965. They intended to march from Selma to Montgomery to demonstrate the need for voting rights in the state. Despite more than 40 arrests, physical attacks, and serious injuries, John Lewis remained a devoted advocate of nonviolent philosophy.

John Lewis went on to become a United States Congressman and has served as U.S. Representative of Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District since 1986. Lewis was a member of the influential House Budget Committee and House Ways and Means Committee, where he served on the Subcommittee on Health until his death. Congressman Lewis served as Senior Chief Deputy Democratic Whip and sat in a direct line of succession to the number two Democratic leadership position in the House. John Lewis is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize. He received the NAACP Spingarn Medal in 2002 and the NAACP Chairman’s Award in 2020.

If we know anything about our dear friend John Lewis, he wanted us to continue the battle for full participation in a democracy that he began long ago with other civil rights icons. On November 3, we can and must honor our beloved John Lewis by casting our ballot and ensuring that our vote is counted, up and down the ballot.

John Lewis was a national treasure and a civil rights hero for the ages. We are deeply saddened by his passing but profoundly grateful for his immense contributions to justice. He used every waking moment of his 80 years to push this country toward more representative democracy and left behind a remarkable model. It is up to us to pick up his mantle and carry on, and we urge the entire nation to join us. As people of all colors are in the streets seeking racial justice, we urge all that can to speak louder and stay a little longer to honor the best warrior for democracy our nation has ever known.

The NAACP extends our sincerest condolences to the family of Congressman Lewis and sends prayers of comfort and strength now and always.

Effort underway to name N.J. post office after Black congressman who helped displaced Black residents

The man who founded a South Jersey town as a haven for Black families to escape oppression during the Jim Crow south could soon have his name on its new post office.

Whitesboro, a section of Middle Township, is named for George H. White. The new post office on Route 9 South and Main Street in town, would named the George Henry White Post Office Building under a pending congressional bill.

White, who died in 1918, was a congressman from North Carolina from 1897 to 1901, who later moved to Philadelphia. He sought to find a safe location for Black constituents from the Wilmington, North Carolina area after more than 100 African Americans were killed In 1898 by white supremacists.

Their homes and businesses were also destroyed, having been burned to the ground.

Wanting to create a place where Black families could create their own lives by being independent farmers, owning their own land and businesses, and have a place to be educated, he co-founded the town of Whitesboro.

According to Middle Township, after establishing Whitesboro, White’s family built the Odessa Inn, and, in 1908, White finished building the first school in the town.

A group comprised of the Middle Township Committee, Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, the New Jersey NAACP and the Cape May County NAACP, have joined together to make sure that White is recognized by all who visit the post office.

The effort has been around for a long time but received a boost after the Middle Township Committee passed a resolution June 2019 asking Congress to name the planned, new post office for him. The building opens Saturday.

The NAACP chapters and the Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro also passed resolutions or write letters in support.

On June 15, New Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., introduced bill H.R. 7230 to name the post office after White. The bill is headed to the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

“We appreciate these partnerships and community cooperation in this important effort,” Middle Township Mayor Tim Donohue said.

Read the full article here: [NJ.COM]

NAACP SET TO HOST HISTORIC 111TH NATIONAL CONVENTION ENTIRELY ONLINE

The NAACP is set to host its 111th National Convention entirely online. Over the course of two weeks, from August 2-6 and August 9-15, the nation’s most prominent social justice organization will bring together elected officials, members, organizers, faith leaders, and entertainers for workshops and discussions to promote solutions to some of the most pressing issues like COVID-19, voter suppression, police brutality, racism, the 2020 election and more. Registration for the convention will open the week of July 20. Interested participants can register at naacpconvention.org.

“The predicament we find ourselves in as a nation, as a society and as a people presents a unique opportunity for change on a large scale,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP. “Living through a health pandemic and a racial crisis has tested the frays of our country, and I can’t think of a better time to convene thought leaders and those with a vested interest in creating a social and political atmosphere that works for all.”

Since the beginning of COVID-19, the NAACP has hosted countless panels, town halls, and gatherings across digital platforms to ensure communities had access to knowledgeable experts and accurate information. The annual convention will be a continuation of the organization’s efforts to keep people safe, informed and secure in their civil and human rights.

As our communities’ safety and security continue to be our utmost priority, the association’s 111th annual convention will seek to serve an even larger audience by creating a robust offering of programs online,” said Leon W. Russell, chairman, NAACP Board of Directors. “The fight for justice is needed now more than ever, and our commitment to ensuring all realize it is our priority.”

More information about the 2020 NAACP National Convention, including a schedule of events and registration details, can be found by visiting naacpconvention.org.

NAACP SAYS FEDERAL NEGLIGENCE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INCREASE IN COVID-19 CASES

The NAACP released the following statement in regards to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases spreading across the United States:

The recent news of record spikes in COVID-19 cases across the country is truly alarming. Our nation is in peril because of this pandemic and as a result of negligence by this Administration in the infancy of this virus and its refusal to lead on critical preventive measures now. Inaction, which disproportionately impacted the Black community, is now being compounded by inadequate oversight, as states were urged to reopen, prioritizing economic profits over the well-being of American citizens.

The notion that this virus that has now claimed over 120,000 American lives and offers a recent single-day record of over 50,000 cases will suddenly “disappear” is both egregious and dangerous to the American people. Recent confirmation by this Administration that federal funding to testing sites across the country will be cut as hospital admissions across seven-states hit record highs in the last week can only be considered social malpractice.

At a time where our country is becoming even more vulnerable by the spread of COVID-19, the need for continued funding for expanded testing and nationwide protocols that follow the guidelines recommended by public health experts — wearing face coverings in public, maintaining physical distance, exercising proper hygiene, minimizing crowds and reopening businesses carefully — should be the only alternative to mitigate the spread of the virus and protect and save lives. These measures will also help us move forward together as safely as possible.

As numerous states pause reopening efforts and reenact more stringent policies and practices for social engagement, we urge all federal, state and local government leaders to take necessary precautions toward an effective and responsible resuming of activities and to ensure that the lives of our people are weighed more prominently than economic profits.

NAACP APPLAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF “GEORGE FLOYD JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT”

The NAACP applauded the bi-partisan passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of H.R. 7120, the “George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.” The legislation represents unprecedented action and a significant first step to prevent and address violence against the Black community by law enforcement all over the country.

While there is more to be done, the legislation seeks to hold law enforcement officials accountable for their actions. It bans chokeholds and “no-knock warrants,” requires body-worn cameras, removes iron-clad protections for police officers such as “qualified immunity,” provides stronger investigative authority for federal and state officials, ends racial and religious profiling, limits military equipment on American streets, and classifies lynching as a hate crime.

Derrick Johnson, President & CEO, of the NAACP, stated: “This legislation represents the only way forward. If we’ve learned anything from these past weeks, it’s that the American people are demanding systemic change. We need bold, transformative action to rethink policing and reimagine public safety in our communities.

For far too long, police across the country have operated with impunity and no regard for the people they are sworn to protect and serve. We have witnessed the tragic consequences in the brutal killings of George Floyd to Breonna Taylor to Elijah McClain, and countless others who have lost their lives to state-sponsored violence.

We now call upon the Senate to put partisanship aside and do the right thing by passing this seminal legislation. The Black community and, indeed, our entire nation cannot afford to risk one more life and wait for one more day. Congress must seize this extraordinary moment in time to push for the elimination of racism in policing and in the criminal justice system writ large, and to rid our society of the structural inequality that has tormented and held back our nation for far too long.

NAACP STATEMENT ON UNJUST KILLING OF RAYSHARD BROOKS

27-year old Rayshard Brooks was killed by an Atlanta Police officer on the evening of Friday, June 12, 2020. In light of this development, the NAACP released the following statement:

From Derrick Johnson, President & CEO, NAACP:

“Our prayers go out to the family and friends of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks of Atlanta, GA. It is unconscionable that a country still feeling the sting of the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, would be sitting here addressing another wound dealt to us by the those who have sworn to protect and serve. An oath or declaration from law-enforcement was once accompanied by confidence and expectation from the community. Sadly, that confidence has been marred under the stains of countless incidents in which deadly force by law-enforcement was resolved as the only resort, rather than the last resort. Rayshard Brooks did not deserve to die Friday night. The actions of the Atlanta Police Department underline a systemic issue that has plagued the Black community within this country for centuries. Until this nation is willing to address the systemic racism that has been allowed to manifest itself in police brutality, criminal justice, education, voting rights, economic wealth-gaps, and every other imaginable area that affords us an equal and sustainable life, America remains in breach of contract with the Black community.

As the NAACP’s Georgia State Conference and Atlanta Branches seek answers about the circumstances surrounding Rayshard Brooks’ death, the National office will remain vigilant until accountability and justice are served for the countless individuals who lose their lives to negligent and misguided police practices throughout the country. Even as we call for accountability by those charged with protecting the community, we call on the community to act–collectively and calmly until we secure justice for the family of Rayshard Brooks.