From the Blog: Stefanie Brown Answers Your Questions About Getting Involved
Every week, NAACP National Field Director Stefanie Brown answers your questions about the NAACP through her video blog, “Ask Stef.” This week, Stefanie fields your questions on organizer trainings and getting involved with your local NAACP chapter. [Read More] |
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NAACP Congratulates Bernice King on Election as President of Southern Christian Leadership Conference
WASHINGTON DC—The NAACP congratulates Bernice King on her recent appointment as President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. King, 46, was elected as the first female President in the organization’s 52-year history.
“The NAACP recognizes the invaluable civil rights contributions made by women throughout American history, and congratulates Bernice King on her prestigious achievement in being elected the first female President of one of our country’s most esteemed civil rights groups,” said Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP President and CEO.
House Passes Historic Health Care Reform Bill
| On Saturday, November 7th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3692, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, a health care reform bill that includes a public option. In recent days, the NAACP’s 880 Campaign, along with the National Urban League, the Black Leadership Forum and others formed a Civil Rights War Room for Health Care Reform to fight for the inclusion of key provisions that made it into the final bill. |
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Last Friday, NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous hosted a joint press conference with our partner organizations and the Congressional Black Caucus to rally support for this historic effort (pictured). As CBC chair Barbara Lee explained when she visited our War Room last week, meaningful healthcare reform can only be passed with grassroots support. In the last week NAACP supporters generated thousands of calls and letters to their representatives in Congress, helping to bring us one step closer to the goal of universal healthcare for all Americans.
Congressional Black Caucus Leaders Join Us in Health Care War Room
On Thursday, November 6, Rep. Barbara Lee, chair of the Congressional Black Congress, and CBC Second Vice Chair Rep. Donna Christensen joined civil rights legend Dr. Dorothy Height and other NGO leaders for a tour of the Civil Rights War Room on Health Care. They urged us to keep fighting for meaningful reform. Pictured: NAACP Board Vice Chair Roslyn Brock and Rep. Barbara Lee. |
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Click here for more photos and a special video message from Rep Barbara Lee.
Louisiana Justice of the Peace Resigns
Louisiana Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell resigned from his post yesterday after coming under fire for denying an interracial couple a marriage license. Last week the NAACP had joined the Tangiaphoa Branch of the NAACP in calling for his resignation. In 1963 the US Supreme Court ended prohibition of marriage due to race in the case of Loving vs. Virginia.
Click here to the BBC report on the resignation. The NAACPs official statement can be found here
DOJ to Investigate NC Shooting of Three African American Children at NAACP Request
WASHINGTON DC — The NAACP requested that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate the Caswell County, North Carolina shooting by a 52-year-old white man in the direction of three African American children. The shots fired from a 12-gauge shotgun injured two of the children, ages 7 and 10, and left all three children, including another 10-year-old, psychologically traumatized. The shooting is believed to be racially motivated.
NAACP Applauds U.S. Senate Passage of The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
WASHINGTON DC – The NAACP applauds the United States Senate for passing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The Senate voted 68-29 in favor of the Act after the House passed the companion bill 249 to 145 in April.
NAACP Hosts National Health Care Reform Town Hall
| The NAACP hosted a town hall meeting on Thursday, October 8 in a first-of-its kind discussion of on the disproportionate impact health care and health insurance have had in communities of color. |  |
More than 200 people packed the Old City Council Chambers in Washington, DC to hear panelists from the NAACP, National Council of La Raza, the National Medical Association, the Generational Alliance and staff members from the House Ways and Means committee.
[Read more]
Find out more at our new 880 website
Statement from Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP
It's time to stop the funerals
The cold-blooded murder of Chicago high school student Derrion Albert by a mob of youngsters has shocked the nation.
Like many Americans, I felt horror watching the video of this 16-year-old’s killing. Today, I feel angry. I am horrified at the nature of this crime. I am infuriated that so many witnesses watched this murder without intervening. I am outraged that some perpetrators remain at large, protected by individuals in the community that will not fully cooperate with the police. I am disgusted that today—less than a week after the killing—children must continue to walk the same fearful path home from school, risking their lives to gain an education.
Illinois Rally Calls for Federal Standards on Police Violence
| Hundreds of supporters joined NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous in Rockford, Illinois this weekend at Kingdom Authority Church, the site where unarmed Mark Barmore was killed in a shooting by Rockford police officers two months ago. |  |
| The shooting took place in a church daycare, in full view of children at the center. Those gathered demanded justice for Barmore, counseling for the children who witnessed the shooting, and legislation to create Federal use-of-force standards. | |
You Can Help:
- Read the Washington Post coverage of the event, or check out the NAACP’s Op-Ed on the shooting.
- Sign our petition demanding a full investigation into the shooting by the Department of Justice, and legislation to mandate federal standards for the use of force by police officers, and
- Sign on to our Facebook page for the latest news, photos and action opportunities from the Rockford rally.
Click here for more photos from the event.
Commemorative Artwork & Centennial Book
Three world renowned artists created commemorative artwork for our Centennial
click here for more information
NAACP: Celebrating a Century, 100 Years in Pictures
click here to order
