John Conyers statement on Trump Administration Plans to attack affirmative action

Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03) and John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), the ranking members of the House Committees on Education and the Workforce and the Judiciary, respectively, issued the following statement after reports surfaced that the Department of Justice plans to attack and undermine affirmative action programs in colleges and universities.

“While we cannot comment on the veracity of this alleged memo, we are deeply concerned by news reports that the Department of Justice intends to challenge the application of affirmative action programs in colleges and universities. What is already clear is the Trump Administration’s public record of attacking civil rights protections on multiple fronts.

“As ranking members, we led 86 Members of the House in an amicus brief in support of affirmative action programs in higher education. We were one of nearly 70 organizations to take the same position, including retired Chiefs of Staff of our nation’s Armed Services, leading Fortune 500 companies, academics, 19 state governors, the faith community and many others. The position that we took was ultimately affirmed by the Supreme Court – the consideration of race and ethnicity to achieve diversity in admissions is a constitutional and is a compelling state interest that can be achieved through narrowly tailored means.

“Whether it is the Department of Justice’s decision to examine the use of consent decrees with state and local police departments, which are designed to reduce instances of police brutality and discriminatory treatment; Attorney General Session’s decision to return to the harsh application of mandatory minimum sentences which have been proven to be racially discriminatory and counterproductive to reducing crime; the White House’s so-called election integrity commission which purports to “solve” voter fraud while requesting the most personal data of the Nation’s 200 million registered voters; or efforts to weaken the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) – agencies charged with the enforcement of employment nondiscrimination laws, the Trump administration has not wasted any opportunity to roll back existing civil rights protections for underrepresented minorities.

“Further, the Administration’s reactionary efforts were signaled in the White House’s proposed budget to which reduces or eliminated funding tied to the enforcement of federal civil rights laws. The Trump Administration’s budget undermines the constitutional promise of Brown v. Board of Education by cutting federal funding to support public schools that serve our nation’s poorest students. It proposes elimination of the environmental justice program, gutting the primary tool to examine and address the impact of environmental policies and decisions on communities of color, low-income and tribal communities. And proving the adage “any rights without remedies are no rights at all,” the President’s budget proposes eliminating federal funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) that provides civil legal aid for low income Americans to help them have their day in court.

“These actions, already on the record, provide a clear, yet unsettling picture of this Administration’s hostile view of the federal government’s role in protecting civil rights.”

NAACP denounces DOJ's plan to target Affirmative Action Programs

NAACP DENOUNCES DOJ’S PLANS TO CURB DIVERSITY EFFORTS IN HIGHER ED

The NAACP, the country’s original and largest social justice organization denounces the U.S. Department of Justice’s plans to investigate and sue higher education institutions whose admission policies promote the inclusion of people of color. The NAACP issued the following statement.

Trump’s Justice Department seems laser-focused on achieving rights and privileges for ‘just-us’; totally excluding people of color. It’s not enough that President Trump proposes to radically cut the 2018 education budget and undermine public schools which would adversely affect African-Americans and his supporters alike, but now his Administration is preparing to investigate and prosecute colleges and universities that strive to admit more people of color.” said Derrick Johnson, interim president and CEO. “Affirmative action was not created as a way for African-Americans, Latinos, or Asian-Americans to get an unfair advantage over their white peers. It’s a mechanism to level the playing field and create equal opportunity for people of color following decades of oppression. We should foster efforts to promote diversity on college and university campuses not hinder it.”

“The Supreme Court has ruled time and time again that affirmative action policies are consistent with our Constitution. For the Justice Department to even suggest otherwise is not only disrespectful to the highest court in the land, it’s un-American and plain ol’ nasty,” said Leon Russell, chairman of the NAACP board of directors. “Practices like investigating universities and colleges for affirmative action policies continue to demonstrate that President Trump is wholly disinterested in the prosperity of black people. The NAACP counts education as one of the essential elements African-Americans — and all Americans – need to achieve a healthy community. The Justice Department’s covert decision to make higher education more difficult for African-Americans to attain is underhanded and won’t be tolerated.”

Cory Booker Introduces Bill to End the Federal Prohibition on Marijuana

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today introduced a landmark bill to reverse decades of failed drug policy that has disproportionately impacted communities of color. Booker announced the bill earlier today on Facebook Live.  

The Marijuana Justice Act would remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances, making it legal at the federal level. The bill would also incentivize states through federal funds to change their marijuana laws if those laws were shown to have a disproportionate effect on low-income individuals and/or people of color.

The bill is retroactive and would apply to those already serving time behind bars for marijuana-related offenses, providing for a judge’s review of marijuana sentences. 

“Our country’s drug laws are badly broken and need to be fixed,” Senator Booker said. “They don’t make our communities any safer – instead they divert critical resources from fighting violent crimes, tear families apart, unfairly impact low-income communities and communities of color, and waste billions in taxpayer dollars each year.

“Descheduling marijuana and applying that change retroactively to people currently serving time for marijuana offenses is a necessary step in correcting this unjust system. States have so far led the way in reforming our criminal justice system and it’s about time the federal government catches up and begins to assert leadership.”

"This bill is the most ambitious marijuana bill we have seen in Congress,” Queen Adesuyi, Policy Associate at the Drug Policy Alliance, said. “Uniquely, it recognizes the fact that people of color have borne the brunt of the failed war on drugs and seeks to repair the damage done. We applaud Senator Booker for his leadership on this issue.”

Arrests for marijuana now account for more than half of all drug arrests in the U.S., and black Americans too often bear the brunt of these misguided laws. Blacks are nearly four times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession as whites are, despite the fact that there’s no difference in marijuana use between the two groups.

Current drug laws have led police officers to arrest more Americans for possession of marijuana than for all violent crimes – armed robbery, murder, sexual assault – combined.

The Marijuana Justice Act seeks to reverse these troubling trends and fix our broken marijuana laws.

Specifically, the Marijuana Justice Act will:

·         Remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances, making it legal at the federal level;

·         Incentivize states through federal funds to change their marijuana laws if marijuana in the state is illegal and the state disproportionately arrests or incarcerates low-income individuals and people of color for marijuana-related offenses;

·         Automatically expunge federal marijuana use and possession crimes;

·         Allow an individual currently serving time in federal prison for marijuana use or possession crimes to petition a court for a resentencing;

·         Create a community reinvestment fund to reinvest in communities most impacted by the failed War on Drugs and allow those funds to be invested in the following programs:

o   Job training;

o   Reentry services;

o   Expenses related to the expungement of convictions;

o   Public libraries;

o   Community centers;

o   Programs and opportunities dedicated to youth; and

o   Health education programs.

Booker has seen the effects of our broken marijuana laws first-hand, dating back to his time as a tenant lawyer, City Council member, and Mayor of Newark, where he created the city’s first office of prisoner re-entry to help formerly incarcerated individuals re-integrate into their communities.

In the Senate, Booker has been an outspoken critic of Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ effort to revive the failed War on Drugs. Earlier this year, he re-introduced the bipartisan CARERS Act, which would allow patients to access medical marijuana in states where it’s legal without fear of federal prosecution. He is also co-author of bills to restrict the use of juvenile solitary confinement and reform the way women are treated behind bars.

HBO statement on #NoConfederate

There has been controversy around HBO's upcoming show Confederate since it was announced. During last nights airing on Game of Thrones #NoConfederate began trending. The hashtag is part of a campaign to get HBO to cancel the show before it even airs.The campaign was organized by April Reign, the activist behind #OscarsSoWhite.

This Sunday at 9pm ET, during @GameOfThrones, we ask you to stand with us. We want to send a message to @hbo using hashtag #NoConfederate.

— April (@ReignOfApril) July 28, 2017

Many are upset because Confederate is a show that will chronicle events leading to the "Third American Civil War". It takes place in an alternate timeline, where the southern states have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution.

HBO has released the following statement on #NoConfederate:

“We have great respect for the dialogue and concern being expressed around ‘Confederate.’ We have faith that Nichelle, Dan, David and Malcolm will approach the subject with care and sensitivity. The project is currently in its infancy so we hope that people will reserve judgment until there is something to see.”

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Announces 47th Annual Legislative Conference

Washington, D.C. -- Join the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) for the 47th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) in Washington, D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, September 20 - 24, 2017. 

This year's conference theme, "And Still I RISE" reflects a legacy of resilience that emphasizes the collective strength of the black community to rise above continued racial inequalities.  

Don't miss this awe-inspiring 5-day policy conference with legislators, thought leaders, subject experts, and celebrities! Purchase your tickets today before pre-conference registration ends on Saturday, September 9. Tickets can be purchased at  cbcfinc.org/alc.

Follow us on Twitter @cbcfinc and let us know you're coming by using our hashtag, #CBCFALC17.

Simone Manuel takes 100-meter gold at FINA World Championships

American swimmer Simone Manuel proved her winning performance in the 100-meter freestyle at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro wasn’t a fluke on Friday when she added another gold to her growing medal collection by winning the event at the FINA World Championships in Budapest.

Manuel, who had never medaled in the event at worlds before, set a new American record on Friday, winning in 52.27 seconds.

The 20-year-old also beat out heavy favorite Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden, who holds the world record in the event and had days earlier swam the length in 51.71 seconds as part of Sweden’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay team. (Incidentally, Team USA, which included Manuel, ended up winning that event, too.)

[SOURCE: Washington Post]

Black bussinessman is trying to trademark the N-Word

For 20 years, Curtis Bordenave said he has spotted oncoming trends and gotten out ahead of them. Most recently, that's involved efforts to profit from a racial slur.

His business, Better Moves Consulting, markets and sells clothing and other merchandise aimed at promoting unity, equality and understanding, he said.

In a roundabout way, he claims that mission is exactly why he is trying to trademark the N-word.

Bordenave of Columbus, who is African American, filed a trademark application in June with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for "Nigga," shortly following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that now allows trademarking disparaging language. The office accepted his application and assigned it to an examiner for review, a process Bordenave said could take up to a year.

In the meantime Business Moves Consulting is gearing up to produce products for the brand. Bordenave said it had already designed T-shirts and plans to produce soap, shaving cream, moisturizer and fingernail polish. He said a website where customers can purchase the products should be live next week, and the Nigga_brand Instagram page -- which had 16 followers as of Friday morning -- features mockups for the products.

"Our vision for the brand is not to disparage people, but to change the narrative and the meaning of the word," Bordenave said. "Products were sold with that name on it many years ago, and to say we can't change the meaning of that word is not really accurate.

"We give the word more power if we shelter it away, so that if anybody wants to just pull it out, it has a stink," he added. "We believe that we can change it."

He said the logo will be discrete on products, which will more prominently feature messages about inclusiveness and unity.

Should the brand grow to be successful, Bordenave said he wants to use funds to help African American students go to college and enable them to give back to their communities.

Read more: Local man trying to trademark N-word

NAACP Issuing Travel Advisory Against the state of Missouri

The NAACP is moving forward with a travel advisory warning black people to be careful while in Missouri because of a danger that civil rights won't be respected.

Missouri NAACP President Rod Chapel said Thursday that national delegates voted the day before to adopt the advisory, which was put in place at a statewide level in June. Chapel said it's up for ratification by the national board in October.

It cites legislation signed by Gov. Eric Greitens that will make it more difficult to sue for housing or employment discrimination.

The advisory also cites other issues, including a recent attorney general's report that shows black Missouri drivers last year were 75 percent more likely to be stopped than whites.

Chapel says he hopes recognition from the national organization will boost awareness.

SOURCE: KY3

Maxine Waters Grills Treasury Secretary Mnuchin On Russia & Trump

During a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Maxine Waters asked Treasury Mnuchin why she hadn’t received a response to a May letter she sent him about Trump's financial connections to Russia.

Instead of immediately answering, Mnuchin started complimenting the ranking member. Unfortunately for Mnuchin Auntie Maxine wasn't having it.

National Urban League Convenes 2017 Conference

Symbolically gathered at a thriving community center built upon the ruins of a burned-out symbol of urban unrest, the National Urban League today convened its 2017 Conference. 

"Transforming frustration and despair into opportunity and hope is the overarching theme of our Conference and our mission,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H.  Morial said. "We’re so proud to showcase the Community Empowerment Center of Ferguson as a successful example of the work of the Urban League Movement and our committed partners.

“Save Our Cities: Education, Jobs + Justice,” the theme of the 2017 National Urban League Conference campaign is an examination of the challenges facing urban communities, particularly as the shift of power in Washington, D.C., brings sweeping changes to the nation. Continuing through Saturday at America’s Center, the nation’s largest civil rights and social justice conference attracts thousands of the nation’s most influential community leaders, together with top policy-makers, academicians, business leaders and artists.

“As longtime supporters of the Urban League Movement, Centene is pleased to welcome the conference to our hometown of St. Louis,” said Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman, President and CEO of title sponsor Centene and President of the National Urban League Board of Trustees. “I can think of no better city than St. Louis to host our conference this year. St. Louis is a city that is stepping up to the challenge of working to create positive social change. Since the ensuing unrest of 2014, our experiences – particularly in Ferguson – can serve as an example of this progress that can be made when businesses, community organizations and elected officials work together for the transformation and betterment of a community at large.”

Also on hand for the ceremonies was Lezley McSpadden, the mother of Michael Brown the unarmed teenager whose death at the hands of Ferguson police sparked days of unrest there in 2014.

Two major plenary sessions focus on the State of Black America, the National Urban League’s seminal annual analysis of the social and economic status of African Americans, and the Main Street Marshall Plan, a comprehensive outline for combating poverty and eliminating disparities

“World Wide Technology is honored to be a title sponsor of the conference,” Vice President of Human Resources Ann Marr said. “We are proud of our cultural diversity that exists within our global organization.  Corporate and social responsibility is important to WWT and we are passionate about supporting our community.  We are committed to many organizations like the Urban League and we will continue to advance these programs.   We than all the dignitaries and thought leaders joining us at the conference; it will be an incredible event.”

The four-day event at America’s Center features empowering sessions and workshops presented by political, business, and entertainment leaders and influencers on topics including education, business, the economy, health, and justice.  The N.U.L. Experience Hall, free and open to the public, includes exhibits, entertainment, a Volunteer Zone, Health Zone and chances to win exciting prizes.  Participants in Saturday’s Small Business Matters entrepreneurship summit will have a chance to audition for ABC TV’s Shark Tank, or win cash prizes at the Pitch Contest.

Also partnering to present the conference are longtime Urban League supporters Toyota, Nationwide, UPS and Target.

Backpacks and school supplies will be distributed to thousands of community members at the Back-To-School Community Empowerment Festival Community Day on Saturday, which features health screenings and other informative and entertaining exhibits and sessions. 

Notable speakers, panelists and honorees include: 

• The Rev. Dr. William Barber, former President of the North Carolina NAACP
• Allan C. Golston, President of the United States Program, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Angela Rye, Principal and CEO of IMPACT Strategies; CNN Political Commentator and NPR Political Analyst             
• Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Sociology Professor, Georgetown University, Author, Tears We Cannot Stop
• Tamika D. Mallory, President, Mallory Consulting, National Activist, Champion of the New Civil Rights Movement                
• Melanie Campbell, President & CEO/Convener, Black Women's Roundtable, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
• CCH Pounder, Award Winning Actress
• Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder & President, National Action Network, Television Talk Show Host on MSNBC, “PoliticsNation”
• Richard G. Hatcher, First African-American Mayor to serve as mayor of a major city
• Robbie Montgomery, Musical Artist, Reality TV Star and Founder of St. Louis Restaurant Sweetie Pie's

Michelle Obama discusses racism she face while First Lady

Former First Lady Michelle Obama discussed racism she faced as First Lady during The Women's Foundation of Colorado 30th anniversary celebration at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

WFCO President and CEO Lauren Y. Casteel commented that Obama had broken and a glass ceiling by becoming the first African American First Lady, and then asked her what shards of the falling glass cut the deepest.

Michelle Obama responded:

“The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut,” she said, referencing being called an ape and people talking about her bottom. “Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who won’t see me for what I am because of my skin color.”

She said she can’t pretend like it doesn’t hurt because that lets those who do the hurting off the hook.

“Women, we endure those cuts in so many ways that we don’t even notice we’re cut,” she said. “We are living with small tiny cuts, and we are bleeding every single day. And we’re still getting up.”

Black activists tell Democrats: Put an African American on 2020 ticket

African American activists have a message for Democrats: If you want to win back the White House, strongly consider a black person on the ticket.

On their list are a growing roster of black politicians, notably Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J. and Kamala Harris, D-Calif., former Attorney General Eric Holder and Deval Patrick, former governor of Massachusetts.

Turnout among African Americans in the 2016 presidential election was the smallest in 20 years. It’s a big concern as the NAACP holds its annual convention this week in Baltimore, its first major gathering since the election.

Hilary Shelton, head of the NAACP’s Washington bureau, said “It could be difficult” for Democrats in the future without an African American on the ticket.

But he added that the black community is “very sophisticated” politically, and having an African American is not essential if white candidates “are speaking our language, which means that they’re addressing our concerns, they’re going to get our support.”

Several in the rank and file felt differently.

Yvette Stone longs for the days when Barack Obama occupied the White House. She wants African American voters shouldn’t settle for anything less than a Democratic ticket with a black candidate in 2020.

“We have to represent what we want. We have to represent who we are,” Stone, a Huntington, N.Y. convention delegate. “Everyone always comes for our vote, and what do we get in return?”

Read more: Black activists tell Democrats: Put an African American on 2020 ticket

NJ Gov Race: Murphy Picks Sheila Oliver as Running Mate

NJ Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Murphy has chosen Sheila Oliver, the former speaker of the Assembly, as his running mate in this November's election, according to a source with direct knowledge of the selection process.

The first African-American woman Assembly speaker in state history, Oliver has more than a dozen years of legislative experience, serving in the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature since 2004.

She also served on the Essex County board of chosen freeholders (county commissioners) from 1996 to 1999.

Born and raised in Newark, Oliver, 65, graduated from Weequahic High School before moving to Pennsylvania to earn a degree in sociology at Lincoln University, the nation's first degree-granting historically black university.

Oliver took her masters in urban planning and administration she got from Columbia University and put to extensive use in Essex County, where she works as an assistant administrator.

She previously served on the East Orange Board of Education from 1994-2000 and as its president from 1999 to 2000.

Oliver also serves on both the Assembly's commerce and economic development committee and the Legislature's joint committee on and equal employment opportunity.

As a woman of color with a long track record of helping Jersey's urban communities, Oliver as the Lt. Governor candidate could help Murphy connect his message of economic renewal to African American voters who may have cooled to Democratic politics in the post-Obama era.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Congressional Black Caucus calls for resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions

Today, the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement on why a majority of the 49-member caucus recently voted in favor of calling for Attorney General Sessions to resign. The caucus vote was held before Friday’s report strongly suggesting that Attorney General Sessions has once again violated the public’s trust.

“Every day the Department of Justice prosecutes people for lying under oath, yet the man who leads the department has lied under oath on more than one occasion.

“First, he told the Senate under oath that he did not meet with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential election, and then, after reports contradicted that claim, he told the Senate that he did meet with Russian officials, but that he didn’t talk with them about the campaign. On Friday, we learned that the latter claim is likely false.

“In addition, although Attorney General Sessions has recused himself from the Trump-Russia investigation as a result of having conflicts of interest, he violated that recusal when he recommended that President Trump fire former FBI Director James Comey who had, shortly before being fired, requested more resources to investigate any and all ties between President Trump, his presidential campaign, and Russia.

“Attorney General Sessions is unfit to serve as the top law enforcement official in the nation and should resign from the position immediately. As the old saying goes, 'fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.’ Attorney General Sessions is treating Congress and the American people like fools.”

On March 2, CBC Chairman Cedric L. Richmond called for Attorney General Sessions to resign after reports confirmed that he lied under oath about meeting with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential campaign. However, today’s statement represents the views of a majority of the caucus he leads.

Black judge removes Mississippi flag with Confederate emblem from courtroom

Carlos Moore made history this week when he took to the bench as the first African-American municipal judge in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Then he made a ruckus.

On his first day on the job, Moore ordered officials to remove the Mississippi state flag from his courtroom, because that flag contains the Confederate emblem in its upper left corner.

"It was such a great feeling to see the police officer drag the despicable flag from the courtroom during open court. Great first day!" the judge posted on Facebook on Monday.

In Moore's eyes, the Mississippi state flag doesn't stand for justice and instead shows the state supports the Confederacy's legacy of slavery, he told WATN-TV in Memphis.

Another factor in Moore's decision was the fact that a lot of the people who will stand before him in court will be African-Americans.

"Most of the people that appear before me will be African-American, and they need to feel that the courtroom is gonna be a place they can get justice," he said. "That flag does not stand for justice."

It isn't the first time Moore has fought the flag. He filed a federal lawsuit seeking an injunction to stop the state from flying the flag and to rule that its design is unconstitutional. But US District Judge Carlton W. Reeves tossed the suit out last year.

[SOURCE: CNN]

NAACP names vice chair Derrick Johnson interim president & CEO

The NAACP, the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization, names vice chairman of the board of directors Derrick Johnson as interim president and CEO, effective immediately. The unanimous decision was made by the executive committee of the board of directors during the Association’s 108th annual convention in Baltimore, Maryland. The NAACP released the following statement.

“I am thrilled to announce that my friend and colleague Derrick Johnson has been appointed to interim president and CEO. I could not think of a better, more battle-tested or more qualified individual to guide the NAACP through this transition period,” said Leon Russell, Board Chairman of the NAACP. “Derrick’s longtime service with the Association will allow him to take decisive action to deal with daily challenges. He will also serve as the primary spokesman for the NAACP. I have every confidence in Derrick and will support him in this new endeavor every step of the way .”

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to be named the interim president and CEO of an organization that I’ve served for decades,” said Derrick Johnson, interim president and CEO of the NAACP. “There’s a lot of work that needs to be done and we won’t waste any time getting to it. We are facing unprecedented threats to our democracy and we will not be sidelined while our rights are being eroded every day. We remain steadfast and immovable, and stand ready on the front lines of the fight for justice.”

Derrick Johnson will serve as interim president and CEO until a new president is named. Derrick Johnson formerly served as vice chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors as well as State President for the Mississippi State Conference NAACP. The first vice chair of the Mississippi State Conference NAACP will assume leadership of the state conference operations. Derrick’s full biography is available here.

Eric Holder defends special counsel Robert Mueller

This week former US Attorney General Eric Holder Thursday defended special counsel Robert Mueller via Twitter after President Trump said Mueller was leading an investigation riddled with conflicts of interest.

Mueller is looking into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

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There is NO basis to question the integrity of Mueller or those serving with him in the special counsel's office. And no conflicts either

— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) July 21, 2017

Trump cannot define or constrain Mueller investigation. If he tries to do so this creates issues of constitutional and criminal dimension.

— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) July 21, 2017

NAACP issues statement on Trump refusing invite to NAACP Convention

The NAACP issued the following statement after President Trump announced that he will not attend the NAACP’s 108th Annual Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.

“It’s extremely unfortunate that during these pressing and urgent times, the President has chosen to turn his back on the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization – though I must admit, his refusal to attend our convention is not totally unexpected,” said Leon Russell, Board Chairman of the NAACP.

“As a nonpartisan civil rights organization, we’ve hosted President Obama, Clinton, Bush Jr., and Reagan, to name a few. This is a historic departure from past presidents’ engagements with the Association.

“During his campaign, President Trump asked us ‘what do you have to lose?’ This is the second time President Trump has refused an offer to speak at our annual convention. We get the message loud and clear. The President’s decision today underscores the harsh fact: we have lost – we’ve lost the will of the current Administration to listen to issues facing the Black community.

“The NAACP fights to make sure democracy is real for all communities. We fight to end racism, hatred and discrimination in the United States. Our branches fight for real issues like access to healthcare, a fair justice system, equal opportunity to education, an end to police brutality and the right to vote. When President Trump is ready to listen to us and the people we serve, we will be here. Until then, the NAACP will continue to strive for an America free from racism and continue to speak truth to power.”

Why Donald Trump refused to attend the NAACP Convention

Trump declines invitation to speak at NAACP convention

UPDATE: NAACP issues statement on Trump refusing invite to NAACP Convention

The White House said Tuesday that President Donald Trump has declined an invitation to speak at the NAACP's annual convention next week in Baltimore, leading the nation's oldest civil rights organization to question the president's commitment to his African American constituents.

"During his campaign, President Trump asked us 'what do you have to lose?'" NAACP Board Chairman Leon Russell said. "We get the message loud and clear. The president's decision today underscores the harsh fact: we have lost - we've lost the will of the current administration to listen to issues facing the black community."

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders made the announcement to reporters that the president declined the NAACP's invitation to speak at its 108th annual convention. Trump also did not speak to the NAACP convention last year, citing scheduling conflicts with the Republican National Convention.

The NAACP found out from reporters that Sanders had announced that Trump would not attend.

Sanders said while the president had declined the invitation, "certainly the invitation for dialogue with that group would happily take place and we'd certainly like to continue to do that."

Russell called Trump's decision a "historic departure from past presidents' engagements with the association," saying former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan all addressed the NAACP.

"When President Trump is ready to listen to us and the people we serve, we will be here," Russell said. "Until then, the NAACP will continue to strive for an America free from racism and continue to speak truth to power."

Why Donald Trump refused to attend the NAACP Convention

[SOURCE: ABC NEWS]

Democratic donors buzzing about Kamala Harris

The Democratic donor class is abuzz about Kamala Harris possibly running for president in 2020 after the freshman California senator was feted this weekend at an event in the Hamptons surrounded by top fundraisers.

The Bridgehampton event, where Harris mingled with top donors and supporters of Hillary Clinton, was the ultimate signal that Harris is “thinking much bigger” than the Senate, one top bundler said.

“She’s running for president. Take it to the bank,” another fundraiser said. “She’s absolutely going to run.” Donors say Harris is giving them a glimmer of hope when they need it the most.

They see the former prosecutor-turned-California attorney general as embodying the qualities a Democratic presidential candidate would need to win the White House in 2020.

They also see the 52-year-old African-American woman as a fresh face.

“People are looking for champions. … She’s in that category. There are people who might not know her real well but want to like her. What little they know, they like.”

Since November, Harris has become one of her party’s biggest draws: She has raised upwards of $600,000 for Senate candidates in recent months, and she recently raised $227,000 in an email for MoveOn.Org, according to sources close to Harris.

Read more: Dem donors buzzing about Kamala Harris