New post from the NAACP: The NAACP Mourns the Passing of David N. Dinkins, New York City’s First and Only Black Mayor by Marc Banks

The NAACP mourns the passing of David N. Dinkins, a lawyer, author, and the 106th Mayor of New York City from 1990 to 1993.  

“The NAACP is saddened to learn of the passing of David N. Dinkins,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP. “Winning his election against all odds, he showed us what was possible at a time when opportunities were limited. 

During his tenure, Dinkins created an all-civilian structure of the Cilivan Complaint Review Board – a quasi-independent city agency that monitors and investigates complaints of police officer misconduct – and significantly strengthened its powers to combat abuses of power by the police. Though his tenure saw New York City’s highest-ever murder rate in 1990, it fell every successive year of his term, and overall major crime dropped throughout Dinkins’ final three years.

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New post from the NAACP: Democracy Still Stands by Marc Banks

DETROIT – “Posterity! You will never know how much it costs the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it.” These are the words of President John Quincy Adams. Today, the freedom of the people in the state of Michigan has been preserved. Let the votes count and certify every vote! The attempt of President Donald Trump and his cohorts to overturn the election of 2020 was brought to a halt in the state of Michigan. After failure in the courts, elimination of postal services, unfounded and embarrassing conspiracy theories, and the attempted assassination of certification, it was brought to a halt in the state of Michigan. Let this be very clear to every citizen in these United States. The only security we have to preserve and protect our freedom, and to continue our democracy is our vote and the unrelenting determined voices of the people to defend it.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” By a three to one vote, the Michigan State Board of Canvassers agreed to certify the November 3 election. It must be pointed out that the Board of Canvassers have but one job. According to Section 168.841 Board of Canvassers Duties, “The Board of State Canvassers shall canvass the return and determine the result of all elections for electors of President, Vice President of the United States, etc.” There is no ambiguity in this section. The efforts of the two Republicans first in Wayne County not to certify the city of Detroit, and again by Republican Norman Shinkle at the state board, who abstained rather than vote to certify the election in Wayne County, is merely another attempt to reduce and delegitimize the Black vote. It has been 150 years since the passing of the 15th Amendment giving Black men the right to vote. It has been 100 years since the passing of the 19th amendment which gave women the right to vote. It has been 55 years since the passing of the Voting Rights Act. Today we are still acting as if these laws and amendments have never been passed. America must do better.

The Republican enablers of Donald Trump should be ashamed of themselves. They stand in the doorway of progress like George Wallace stood in the doorway of the University of Alabama in 1963. Wallace attempted to block the admittance of Black students at that university. He declared “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.” Wallace attempted to block the admission of Black students Vivian Malone and James Hood. President John F. Kennedy, along with civil rights leaders, moved him out of the way. 30 years later, Wallace apologized for his behavior and his racist conduct. He said, “much has transpired since those days. A great deal has been lost and a great deal has been gained, and here we are. My message to you today is welcome to Montgomery. May your message be heard. May your lessons never be forgotten. May our history be always remembered.” It is important for those who stand in the doorway to block the African American vote in the election of a new President move out of the way. Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Rudy Giuliani, and members of Republican legislative bodies across the nation must remember the lessons of history. Stop being the mean-spirited enablers of a lame duck President. Cease and desist in the concerted effort to block the entrance of a new era and a new political demographic. It is an era of diversity, one of positive and productive opportunity for all people. It is a sharing of the power with more than just a very few people. The people who stood in long lines, cast their ballots early, voted at the polls in the midst of a pandemic are Americans to be recognized. The persons who volunteered and worked to tabulate the ballots in the midst of harassment and intimidation are to be commended for their commitment. This victory is yours. This lesson should be learned by all of us. The effort to stall and postpone certification was simply a solution in search of a problem. There never really was a problem. In the words of Judge Matthew Brann of Pennsylvania, this claim of voter fraud or irregularities is simply “like Frankenstein’s Monster. It has been haphazardly stitched together from two distinct theories in an attempt to avoid controlling precedent.” Try as he might, Donald Trump’s monster of decertification, voter fraud, and a rigged election was simply not stitched together. The monster has now been caged. Let us make good use of the freedom we have won once again.

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New post from the NAACP: NAACP Congratulates Alice Huffman, President and CEO of California Hawaii State Conference, on 20 years of service by Marc Banks

The NAACP thanks Alice Huffman for serving her community and the organization for over 20 years as the president of the California Hawaii State Conference. Her accomplishments as the head of the state conference are copious. She played a significant role as an advocate for  LGBTQ rights and setting up a task force to bring awareness to the community. She has served as a community bridge between government policymakers and the residents of California.

Huffman formerly served as a member of the current elected Attorney General’s transition team; the State Parks and Recreation Commission; Member of the University of California President’s Council on Campus Climate, Culture, & Inclusion; The Secretary of State’s California Complete Count Committee for the 2010 Census; and Grand Marshall of the San Francisco’s Gay Pride Parade.

“The NAACP and myself are grateful for the work done by Alice Huffman during her tenure as state conference president,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP. “Through her service, she has strengthened her community and encouraged the next generation to be fearless in their pursuit of equity and justice.”

“Alice has been a fierce proponent for our community and I imagine she will continue to do so in her capacity,” said Leon W. Russell, Chair,  Board of Directors. “On behalf of the board of directors, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Huffman and her work. It has been an honor to work with her as the state conference president, and it will be a pleasure to continue to work with her as a board member.”

Alice Huffman has many national and state distinguished awards. The most recent received was the CA Legislative Black Caucus Heritage and Legends Award; numerous awards awarded to her community work, work on behalf of the gay community, and efforts to regulate cannabis.

Annually, she was included in the 100 most influential California by the Sacramento Observer and the Capitol Weekly and twice the recipient of The National NAACP Thalheimer Award for the nation’s best state conference.

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About NAACP 

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.

 

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New post from the NAACP: Submissions for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards Are Now Open by Marc Banks

2021 AWARDS CEREMONY TO INCLUDE 21 NEW CATEGORIES IN TELEVISION + STREAMING, RECORDING AND MOTION PICTURE

 

CHANGES TO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC;

ONLINE SUBMISSIONS CLOSE ON DECEMBER 18^TH

 

LOS ANGELES (November 18, 2020) – Today the NAACP announced 21 new submission categories, along with changes to submission guidelines for the 52^nd NAACP Image Awards. Recognized as the nation’s preeminent multicultural awards show from an African-American perspective, the NAACP Image Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts and those who promote social justice through their creative work.

Entries can be submitted now through Friday, December 18^th at www.naacpimageawards.net in the categories of motion picture, television + streaming, recording, and literature. New submission categories include:

• Television + Streaming: Outstanding Animated Series; Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television); Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama; Outstanding Performance in a Short-Form Series; Outstanding Short-Form Series – Variety; Outstanding Short-Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction; and Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

 

• Recording: Outstanding International Song; Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental Outstanding Jazz Album–Vocal; Outstanding Soul/R&B Song; Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song; Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional); Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary); and Outstanding Producer of the Year

 

• Motion Picture: Outstanding International Motion Picture; Outstanding Animated Motion Picture; Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture); Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action); Outstanding Short-Form (Animated); and Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the entertainment industry, the NAACP Image Awards has also made several rules and guideline changes to ensure that the process has taken into account current conditions. The eligibility period for all projects is January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020.

The performance or project cannot be used from a previously released project that would have qualified in a previous year (i.e. a rebroadcast performance, a performance in a released film being rebroadcast, or a remix of a song or album from a previous year or reprint of a released book). Legacy projects that are rebroadcasted or rereleased do not qualify. Additional submission requirements are included below.

FOR APPROVAL “While we are living in unprecedented times, we are excited to continue the rich tradition of recognizing the excellence and achievement of people of color in the arts,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “Uplifting and celebrating diverse content, narratives and representation have the power to shape perceptions and change communities—which is needed now more than ever.”

Following are key calendar dates for the 52^nd NAACP Image Awards:

Friday, December 18 – Online submissions closes

Monday, December 28 – Nominating committee voting begins

Friday, January 15 – Nominating committee voting closes

Wednesday, January 20 – Nominations announced and online voting opens

Friday, February 5 – Online voting closes

Only submitted work will be reviewed for consideration. All entries are evaluated and narrowed to the top five in each category by members of the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committees which are comprised of individuals within the entertainment industry (studio/network executives, actors, artists, managers, agents, publicists, journalists, literary agents, and others) and NAACP Board members, NAACP Foundation Trustees, staff, partners and others.

The 52^nd NAACP Image Awards will be nationally telecast live in February.

For all information and latest news, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at http://www.naacpimageawards.net.

Instagram:  @naacpimageawards |Twitter: @naacpimageaward | Facebook:  /naacpimageaward

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NAACP

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

 

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization, and shares our commitment to equal rights.

 

NAACP Image Awards Media Contacts:

Sunshine Sachs | NAACPImageAwards@sunshinesachs.com

Marc Banks | dbanks@naacpnet.org

 

NEW SUBMISSION CATEGORIES

Television + Streaming

Outstanding Animated Series

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama

Outstanding Performance in a Short-Form Series

Outstanding Short-Form Series – Variety

Outstanding Short-Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

 

Recording

Outstanding International Song

Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental

Outstanding Jazz Album  – Vocal

Outstanding Soul/R&B Song

Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

Outstanding Producer of the Year

 

Motion Picture

Outstanding International Motion Picture

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture)

Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)

Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

 

 

ELIGIBILITY PERIOD AND REQUIREMENTS

Additional requirements per category are as follows:

 

MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES

A film is considered a feature if it is 70 minutes or more in length and short form if it is under 40 minutes in length and that includes credits.

Motion Pictures that receive their first public exhibition or distribution in any manner other than as a theatrical motion picture release will not be eligible. This includes Broadcast or Cable, DVD and Internet transmissions. A short form film must have a paid theatrical release prior to a nontheatrical distribution or an official jury screening at a recognized film festival and be a final version of the film.

Projects are defined as a Theater Release which was an actual in theater release or a non-theater release which is a theatrical release that due to COVID theater closures was delivered via a digital platform.

Theater Release

Projects that were distributed to theaters prior to the pandemic closures (and individual achievements within it) must have been initially released and distributed in the U.S. and had a minimum commercial theatrical run in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco or Miami for seven (7) consecutive days.

Non-Theater Release (Digital Platform)

Projects (and individual achievements within it) released after March 16, 2020, based on the closure of movie theaters and the change of release options, that had a previously planned theatrical release, but were initially made available through commercial streaming, video-on-demand service or other broadcast may qualify for awards consideration, this will include feature length and short-form projects. Film has to meet all other requirements.

TELEVISION + STREAMING CATEGORIES

 

Projects (and individual achievements within it) must either be considered a television or + streaming category. Television is any content produced for broadcast via public airways, cable, and satellite television. It typically has advertisements and breaks during the show. The + Streaming categories is described as an online provider of entertainment that delivers its content via an internet connection to the subscriber. This includes cable and broadcast-based app, subscription-based video streaming and video-on-demand services.

 

Additional eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis. An entry in drama and comedy will apply to a series and not a specific episode. A series is a minimum of six (6) episodes, with a ½ hour or 1-hour format. If your production was impacted by COVID-19, you have to contact the coordinator for instructions to validate your project.

 

A Short Form Project must have an average episode running time of 3 minutes to 17 minutes. A minimum of six episodes must air within the current eligibility year to qualify as a short-form series. Content must be original. All other rules apply.

 

RECORDING CATEGORIES

Projects must have been released/debuted and had general distribution nationally within the eligibility period. Recordings must be available to the public as stand-alone, audio-only purchases or streams and a new recording. You must provide screening copies for the nominating committee on our secured server.

 

LITERARY CATEGORIES

Projects must have been released/debuted and distributed nationally. All literary submissions must provide an ISBN. Physical copies or e-books must be made available for the nominating committee, and will have a designated period to be shipped to the office. You must provide shipping information along with delivery confirmation. Lack of product within the designated period will constitute a disqualification. Shipping instructions for physical books will be provided upon a completed submission.

 

DOCUMENTARY CATEGORIES (MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION)

Motion Picture projects must have been initially released and distributed in the U.S and had a minimum commercial theatrical run in Los Angeles or New York for seven (7) consecutive days. Television projects must have had an original broadcast or cable airdate in the U.S.

Documentary Motion Picture – Non-Theater Release (Digital Platform)

Projects released after March 16, 2020, based on the closure of movie theaters and the change of release options that had a previously planned theatrical release but were initially made available through commercial streaming, video-on-demand service or other broadcast may qualify for awards consideration, this will include Documentary projects. Project has to meet all other requirements and a screening copy must be provided for the nominating committee on our secured server or via a third-party platform.

 

WRITING AND DIRECTING CATEGORIES

Writing and Directing Categories will follow the rules of Television and Motion Picture. Additionally, you must provide screening copies for the nominating committee on our secured server or via a third-party platform.

Motion Picture Theater Release

Projects that were distributed to theaters prior to the pandemic closures (and individual achievements within it) must have been initially released and distributed in the U.S. and had a minimum commercial theatrical run in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco or Miami for seven (7) consecutive days.

Motion Picture Non-Theater Release

Projects (and individual achievements within it) released after March 16, 2020, based on closure of movie theaters and the change of release options, that had a previously planned theatrical release, but were initially made available through commercial streaming, video-on-demand service or other broadcast may qualify for awards consideration, this will include feature length and short-form projects. Film has to meet all other requirements and be shown to our nominating committee.

 

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New post from the NAACP: Voting Rights Cases by Shunkecia Lewis

In courts across the country, we have seen repeated attempts to delegitimatize our democracy by trying to disenfranchise Black voters. Throughout this election cycle, NAACP branches and units nationwide have been working to strengthen our collective voice in our democratic process – from registering voters to educating them about different voting methods to fighting voter suppression efforts through litigation and other strategies. Below are a list of cases where the NAACP got involved in order to represent the interests of Black voters, prevent their disenfranchisement, and ensure their ballots are counted and their voices are heard.

• NAACP sued the U.S. Postal Service to restore prompt and reliable mail delivery, and to ensure that mail-in ballots are accorded priority status. On August 20, 2020, the NAACP sued USPS in the United States District Court of Washington D.C., alleging that Louis DeJoy, the Postmaster General, impeded the timely distribution of mail, implemented crippling policies on postal workers, and sabotaged the USPS in a blatant attempt to disenfranchise voters of color, who are already more harshly impacted by the coronavirus and require alternative methods to in-person voting to protect their health and safety.  The lawsuit claimed that USPS failed to take the required steps before implementing operational changes, including submitting them to the Postal Regulatory Commission, an oversight body.  By ignoring this required process for changes, the American public was denied a reasonable opportunity to submit comments and provide input on the proposals.  In response to the NAACP lawsuit, USPS has been subject to aggressive oversight in court of its handling of election mail. 

On October 27, 2020, D.C. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan ordered the Post Office to provide daily updates to the court on mail delivery data, lawyers from the administration will appear daily before the judge, and sweeps and other measures have been put in place to ensure ballots get to election officials by the state deadlines. Thereafter Judge Sullivan issued several additional orders, including orders that: 1) express network must be used for election mail; 2) all mail ballots be postmarked and processed for delivery no later than the morning after they are mailed; 3) USPS must immediately perform a sweep of certain USPS facilities “to ensure that no ballots have been held up and that any identified ballots are immediately sent out for delivery” and report back to the court by 4:30 p.m. the same day;  4) instructed every plant manager in Texas to perform an immediate sweep of the facility to identify any ballots postmarked by Election Day and have such ballots sent out for delivery by 5:00 p.m. and report back to the court by 1pm on November 5; and 5) required that “all USPS facilities that serve a state with an extended ballot receipt deadline shall, until that deadline passes perform a morning ballot sweep…and a mid-to-late afternoon ballot sweep that is timed to ensure that any identified local ballots can be delivered that day.” [NAACP v. USPS]

• The NAACP in Michigan moved to intervene in a lawsuit filed by the Trump campaign that would disenfranchise Black voters. The Trump campaign filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop Michigan from certifying the election results of the 2020 general election. The lawsuit alleges numerous irregularities in Wayne County.  The NAACP-Michigan State Conference moved to intervene as a defendant on November 13, 2020 because it believes it has a right to prevent the disenfranchisement of its members. [Trump for President v. Benson]
• The NAACP in Michigan moved to intervene in a lawsuit that would disenfranchise Black voters in three counties. A group of individuals filed a lawsuit in federal court to exclude presidential-election results from three counties – Wayne, Washtenaw, and Ingham – which would result in more than one million voters being disenfranchised. They allege illegal votes were cast in those counties, diluting the vote counts.  The NAACP-Michigan State Conference moved to intervene as a defendant on November 14, 2020 because it believes it has a right to prevent the disenfranchisement of its members. On November 16, 2020, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit.  [Bally v. Whitmer]
• The NAACP in Pennsylvania moved to intervene in a lawsuit filed by the Trump campaign that would disenfranchise Black voters. The Trump campaign filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop Pennsylvania from certifying the results of the 2020 General Election. If they are unsuccessful in that claim, they are asking the court to stop the counting of millions of mail-in and absentee ballots, which would disenfranchise millions of voters.  The NAACP-Pennsylvania State Conference is one of several civil rights organizations that asked on November 10, 2020 for the court to allow them to intervene as a defendant in the lawsuit.  They believe they have a right to do so because they have an interest in protecting their members by ensuring that they are given a “full and equal opportunity to exercise their fundamental right to vote” – and because that is one of the core missions of the organization’s work. On November 15, 2020, the Trump campaign amended its lawsuit to a more narrow claim that Democratic-heavy counties violated the law by allowing mail-in ballots to be cured if they were going to be disqualified for a technicality while Republican-heavy counties did not provide such notice.  [Donald J. Trump for President v. Boockvar]
• The NAACP in Pennsylvania filed a friend of the court brief to ensure that all valid mail-in and absentee ballots in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania are counted.   The Trump campaign sued to try to use a technicality to prevent voters from exercising their constitutional right to vote in a safe and secure manner.  The campaign is arguing that ballots should be discarded if they do not include the voters’ address on the declaration.  Pennsylvania’s election law does not include this requirement and the Montgomery Board of Elections has already ruled that it is not required.  The Trump campaign is attempting to disenfranchise 600 voters.  On November 13, 2020, a state judge rejected the lawsuit. [Trump for President v. Montgomery County Board of Elections]
• The NAACP filed a friend of the court brief to ensure that Pennsylvanians who made an honest mistake in casting their absentee ballot have a right to be notified so they can have their votes counted and their voices heard. On November 5, 2020, the NAACP joined an amicus brief to protect the right of Pennsylvania voters to fix their ballot, by casting a provisional ballot, if they made an honest mistake in casting their absentee ballot. Pennsylvania’s election law specifically allows any voter who requested an absentee or mail-in ballot, but whose ballot has not been voted, to cast a provisional ballot.  That means that voters have a right to be notified if their ballot has been rejected due to technical errors so that they can make sure that their vote is counted.  Preventing voters from casting a provisional ballot if they are notified of, or realize on their own, that a mistake was made in casting their absentee ballot, would disenfranchise voters who have a legal right to vote. On November 6, 2020, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ordered that all provisional ballots cast on Election Day by voters who also returned a mail-in ballot by Election Day must be segregated from other provisional ballots. These voters may have voted provisionally due to learning of an error on their mail-in ballot that caused it to be rejected. After the provisional ballots are segregated, the Court ordered that it must be determined whether they are valid and can be counted under Pennsylvania Election Code.  [Hamm v. Boockvar]
• The NAACP in Pennsylvania helped defeat the Trump campaign’s efforts to make it harder for voters to vote by mail. The Trump campaign attempted to remove ballot drop boxes in the state, require signature matching for mailed ballots, remove a county residency requirement for poll watchers, and allow campaign poll watchers at drop boxes. A Trump-appointed judge dismissed the claims finding that there was no proof that Pennsylvania’s measures would lead to election fraud.  [Trump for President v. Boockvar]
• The NAACP in Georgia moved to intervene in a lawsuit that would disenfranchise Black voters in eight counties. A group of voters filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop Georgia officials from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election unless the results from eight counties are excluded.  The more than 1.4 million votes cast in those counties account for more than half of the votes in the state and the lawsuit claims that there was fraud only in the presidential election.  The NAACP-Georgia State Conference moved to intervene as a defendant on November 14, 2020 because it believes it has a right to prevent the disenfranchisement of its 10,000 members.  On November 16, 2020, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit.  [Brooks v Mahoney]
• The NAACP in Georgia helped prevent the purge of more than 14,000 voters just before the election. Republican operatives sought to challenge the validity of over 14,000 voters’ registrations in Fulton County, Georgia.  The operatives filed a mandamus action to compel the Fulton Board of Elections to hold a hearing on the contested registrations. The NAACP moved to intervene to defend the registrations, and the court dismissed the mandamus petition. Although the court denied the NAACP’s motion to intervene, it relied heavily on the NAACP’s briefing in dismissing the petitioner’s case. [Schmitz v. Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections]
• The NAACP in Wisconsin moved to intervene in a lawsuit that would disenfranchise Black voters in three counties. Four voters filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop Wisconsin officials from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election unless the results from three counties – Milwaukee, Dane and Menominee – are excluded.   The NAACP-Wisconsin State Conference moved to intervene as a defendant on November 14, 2020 because it believes it has a right to prevent the disenfranchisement of its 4,000 members.  On November 16, 2020, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit. [Langenhorst v. Pecore]
• The NAACP in Texas helped protect Harris County’s curbside voting practices. In Texas, Republican candidates and activists attempted to toss out nearly 127,000 ballots cast by drive-through voting in Harris County.  A federal judge rejected the case on the grounds that the plaintiffs did not show they would be harmed if the ballots were counted.   If those votes were rejected, it would have disenfranchised approximately 10% of all in-person ballots cast during early voting in Harris County. [Hotze v. Hollins]
• The NAACP in Texas sued to make polling places safer. In Texas, a court challenge was brought to the exemption from the state’s mask mandate for polling places  – including for poll workers.  The exclusion was challenged as discriminatory against Black and Latino voters who are more likely to be harmed by the coronavirus.  The challenge was defeated by the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals, overruling a lower court judge.  [Mi Familia Vota; Texas State Conference of the NAACP; Guadulpe Torres v. Abbott]
• The NAACP in Alabama argued that curbside voting should be allowed to keep voters safe during the coronavirus pandemic. While the 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals held that counties could offer curbside voting if they choose, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was not allowed.  While Alabama law doesn’t provide for the practice, it doesn’t prohibit it either.  [People First v. Merrill]

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About NAACP

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. The NAACP is a c4 organization (contributions are not tax-deductible), and we have a partner c3 organization known as NAACP Empowerment Programs (contributions are fully tax-deductible as allowed by the IRS). NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.

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New post from the NAACP: NAACP Blast Authorities Lack of Response in Untimely Death of Quawan “Bobby” Charles by Marc Banks

(WASHINGTON, DC) — 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.

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New post from the NAACP: NAACP Opposes Trump’s Fifth White Nominee to Segregated Appeals Court, Calls on Judiciary Committee Senators to Refuse to Participate in Hearing by Marc Banks

BALTIMORE (November 16, 2020)—Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, issued the following statement in opposition to the nomination of Thomas Kirsch to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit:

“Today, the NAACP sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee strongly opposing the nomination of Thomas Kirsch to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and calling upon Senators to refuse to participate in the hearing on his nomination. Mr. Kirsch is Donald Trump’s fifth white nominee to the only all-white appellate court in the nation.

Mr. Kirsch’s appointment would perpetuate the segregation of this appellate court, which covers Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana and presides over 7.5 million people of color. The Seventh Circuit lost its only judge of color to retirement early in the Trump administration. Instead of promoting diversity on this court, Trump appointed four white judges, including Amy Coney Barrett. Now that Judge Barrett has been elevated to the Supreme Court, Trump wants to install another white judge in her seat.

Trump’s judicial appointees have been almost exclusively white. This lack of diversity has devastated the federal bench. In the year 2020, no federal appellate court should lack judges of color. Adding insult to injury is that President Obama nominated Myra Selby, a Black woman, to this very seat in 2016. But the Republican-led Senate blocked her confirmation and kept the seat open for Trump to fill with Amy Coney Barrett. The Senate must not allow Trump to install another white judge in this seat, and especially not this late in his presidency.

We are 65 days away from a new president and a new Senate. President-Elect Joe Biden and the Senate of the 117^th Congress should decide who sits on the Seventh Circuit. We urge each and every Senator on the Judiciary Committee to refuse to participate in continuing the segregation of this court.”

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New post from the NAACP: NAACP President and CEO Releases Statement on the #MillionMAGAMarch Events in Washington DC by Marc Banks

NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, issues statement surrounding events in Washington DC and the dangerous remarks of President Trump:

“The egregious comments by President Trump in response to violence and uprising throughout Washington, DC at the conclusion of the #MillionMAGAMarch are incredibly abhorrent.

While millions of Americans across this country peacefully protested and marched in response to the murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others, there were no settling words of comfort and solidarity to those who were tragically impacted by these losses. No concessions for the emotions that manifested as a result of the trauma bared, as we watched innocent lives be snatched from us without reason. Instead, communities across the country were met with warnings and threats that lethal action would be taken for any perceived disorder or misconduct.

On an evening where domestic terrorists are roaming the streets of our Nation’s Capital inciting violence, injuring fellow American citizens and law enforcement, this outgoing president offers nothing but unfound explanations for the harm and discourse perpetuated throughout the city. This is not the decorum of a leader and indeed not the actions of an individual entrusted with preserving all Americans’ safety and tranquility.

As we begin to construct a better future for this country in the coming days and months, there will be those who seek to divide, distract, and discredit the desired progression that this country has chosen. The NAACP stands ready to fight to fulfill that progression and see to it that the Black community’s best days are ahead of us.”

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New post from the NAACP: NAACP Seeks to Intervene in Trump Lawsuit in Michigan, Blasts Trump Campaign for Attacking African-American Voters While Undermining Democracy by Marc Banks

 

(Baltimore, MD) — November 13, 2020 — Today, the Michigan State Conference of the NAACP moved to intervene in a lawsuit filed by the Trump campaign which seeks to block certification of the Michigan presidential election results. The NAACP seeks to intervene in this case to represent the interests of Black voters in order to prevent their disenfranchisement, to ensure their ballots are counted, and to adamantly counter the racist attacks on Black votes as fraudulent and corrupt. Below are statements from the following NAACP officials:

Yvonne White, President of the Michigan State Conference of the NAACP: “This is racism, pure and simple. The Trump campaign is calling our votes “illegal” and our ballots “ineligible.” Black voters in Wayne County have the right to vote and they exercised that right. The Trump campaign just doesn’t like the outcome. In a pathetic attempt to set that result aside, the campaign is engaging in a litany of attacks against Black voters who followed all the rules and against Wayne County election officials who conducted this election with integrity and in full compliance with the law. It is no accident that these accusations are hurled against Wayne County; this is home to the City of Detroit and the largest concentration of Black voters in the state. The narrative that Black people are corrupt must stop. We will defend the character and integrity of hundreds of thousands of Black voters in court.”

Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP: “The Trump campaign is trying to subvert democracy and is attacking Black voters to do it. This lawsuit in Michigan is part of a desperate attempt to set aside the choice of the American people in selecting the next president. This attempt will surely fail. But we cannot stand by while the Trump campaign repeatedly accuses Black voters of fraud and wrongdoing.  We must speak up to protect the integrity of Black voters and the democratic process in which they participated and made their voices heard in record numbers.”

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About NAACP 

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization, and shares our commitment to equal rights.

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New post from the NAACP: NAACP-Pennsylvania State Conference Fights to Ensure Mail-in Ballots Are Counted by Marc Banks

(WASHINGTON, DC) — The NAACP-Pennsylvania State Conference filed a friend of the court brief today in Trump for President v. Montgomery County Board of Elections to ensure that all valid mail-in and absentee ballots in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania are counted. The Trump campaign is once again trying to use a technicality to prevent voters from exercising their constitutional right to vote safely and securely. The campaign argues that ballots should be discarded if they do not include the voters’ address on the declaration. 

Pennsylvania’s election law does not include this requirement, and the Montgomery Board of Elections has already ruled that it is not required. The Trump campaign is attempting to disenfranchise 600 voters. 

Every ballot must be counted and every American deserves to have their voice heard. 

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New post from the NAACP: NAACP to Hold Press Call to Discuss Historic Black Voter Turnout in 2020 Election and Next Steps for Voter Engagement in Georgia by Marc Banks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 9, 2020

 

**NAACP Leadership Available for Interviews**

 

Baltimore, MD – On Tuesday, November 10 at 3:00PM ET, the NAACP’s President Derrick Johnson will host a virtual press call to discuss the role and impact of the “Black Votes Change Lives” campaign on the historic Black voter turnout in the Presidential Election. The NAACP will also share updates on its voter engagement and mobilization efforts in the state of Georgia. President Johnson will discuss the NAACP’s historic campaign and the organization’s ongoing work to combat voter suppression and misinformation. 

 

WHO: Derrick Johnson, President, NAACP

 

WHAT: Virtual press call to share key updates and metrics on the organization’s efforts to 

mobilize, engage, and drive Black voters to the polls                 

 

WHEN: TOMORROW — Tuesday, November 10 at 3:00PM ET

 

WHERE: Zoom meeting – details to be provided to confirmed RSVPs

 

For the past three months, the NAACP has led the “Black Voices Change Lives” campaign to encourage and mobilize eligible and infrequent Black voters to register to vote and turn out to the polls. For more information on the “Black Voices Change Lives” campaign, please visit the website.

 

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About NAACP 

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. 

 

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP. 

 

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization, and shares our commitment to equal rights.

 

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New post from the NAACP: NAACP Issues Statement on Historic 2020 Presidential Election Outcome by Marc Banks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As we stand on the other side of one of the most consequential elections in our lifetime, we first want to recognize the efforts of so many—activists, leaders, organizers, but most importantly, voters. Millions of Americans have cast their ballots with the hope and belief they can make a difference in this country. Dozens of organizations, celebrities, and movement leaders have worked tirelessly to educate, mobilize, and protect voters as they exercised their civic duty. Even in the face of adversity and voter suppression, our collective effort made a substantial difference.

At this historical moment, the voters have made it clear that they want a country that works for all people. They want a country that is not broken by racism and bigotry. They want leadership that can create opportunities for all Americans to succeed in all aspects of society, without fear of over-policing, discrimination, and destructive policies at our expense. 

This election transcends party and gives voice to the voters who want affordable health care, economic stability, quality education for their children, and wholesale relief from the pandemic and structural inequality. How we move forward from here and begin to repair our nation is critical.  

As we begin to chart a pathway forward, we recognize the overwhelming significance of this moment and what it means for this country. The NAACP has spent the past 100 years educating and mobilizing Black people to participate fully in our democracy. Throughout the history of this country, Black people have always led the charge to make this country live up to its ideals of equality and fairness. This year, our voter mobilization and protection efforts have made a substantial difference where it counts. The NAACP spent more than $15 million to deploy a blend of traditional and innovative turnout tactics in the following 10 states: Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Alabama. The turnout strategy is anchored in an innovation pioneered by the data science firm GSSA, called indirect relational voter turnout (IRVT), where high-propensity Black voters are recruited as volunteers to encourage low-propensity Black voters to vote. The comprehensive campaign recruited nearly 200,000 high-propensity Black voters to volunteer. Our volunteers have made 675,000 calls, sent 16.5 million text messages, safely distributed over 400,000 pieces of voter education literature, sent 4.5 million pieces of social pressure GOTV mail, and sent 400,000 direct voter contact emails to encourage Black voters in their community to vote.

In the coming days and months, we will continue to set our sights on making progress a reality for so many who have been left behind. We will work in tandem with our members, partners, and congressional leaders, and everyday citizens to ensure justice, equity, and fairness are a mainstay in this country. 

# # #

About NAACP 

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. 

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP. 

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization, and shares our commitment to equal rights.

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Election Results 2020: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

New post from the NAACP: 2020 American Election Eve Poll Finds Coronavirus Pandemic and Racial Justice Among Most Important Issues for African American Voters by Marc Banks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Marc Banks, NAACP, dbanks@naacpnet.org 

Elaina Jackson, Fahrenheit Creative Group, LLC, elaina@fcgworks.com

Jazmyn Strode, Vera Institute of Justice, jstrode@vera.org

Pollster African American Research Collaborative, NAACP, and Vera Institute of Justice Release Findings Highlighting How Black People Voted, Why They Voted and How They Are At The Front of a New Powerful Political Coalition

Washington, DC—Today, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), Vera Institute of Justice (Vera), and the African American Research Collaborative (AARC) released findings illustrating the vote choices and motivations of African American voters. The findings, which are based on data from the 2020 American Election Eve Poll completed by the African American Research Collaborative, Latino Decisions, and Asian American Decisions, set the record straight about Black Americans’ commitment to the Democratic Party and its candidates, dispelling the recently circulated notion that Black voters—and Black men in particular—support Donald Trump or the GOP.

According to the poll, nearly nine out of ten African American voters supported Joe Biden. More than half of African American voters said the Coronavirus pandemic is the most important issue their community that politicians should address followed by discrimination and racial justice. 

Opinion polling has consistently shown that mitigating the damage wrought by COVID-19 is the major issue of the 2020 election. This holds true regardless of race, but Black Americans continue to be disproportionately harmed by the pandemic, which influenced how and why they voted. In addition to it being a major issue, the pandemic is the lens through which voters understand and make sense of other important issues, such as health care, the economy, racial justice, and police brutality.

“The NAACP has spent the past 100 years mobilizing black people across the country to get out the vote,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP. “But this movement started long before: throughout the history of the United States, Black people have always led the charge to make this country live up to its ideals of fairness and equality. We have seen that in this poll and will continue to witness the trajectory of this country change for the better with the support of Black Americans.”

The poll proves that people of color, and Black Americans in particular, are a critical voting bloc that is often overlooked. The current conversation about young voters changing America is incomplete without emphasizing the fact the change is being driven by young voters of color.  The data clearly shows young white voters are not particularly more progressive than older white voters. White Americans under age 40 vote for Trump at 55 percent—two points higher than whites older than 60. More than eight out of ten young Black Americans voted for Biden, which suggests their strong support for and commitment to ensuring the country delivers better health coverage, equitable economic opportunity, and comprehensive criminal justice reform.

“Sixty-one percent of Black voters indicated that they or someone they know has been unfairly stopped or harassed by the police,” said Nick Turner, President of Vera. “Black voters are overwhelmingly concerned about systemic racism, especially as it relates to the criminal legal system. We support shifting funds from policing to community and family support and we want to reduce incarceration—including immigrant detention. Regardless of the final election outcome, criminal justice reform should be a priority for the president and Congress.”

More than eight out of ten Black voters expressed support for reducing the number of people in jails and prisons, and allowing people who are incarcerated to use Pell Grants to advance their education and training. An overwhelming majority of Black voters made it clear that police need to be held accountable for brutality and abuse, and expressed support for policy change and reform, including banning chokeholds and strangleholds.

Biden’s support among Black voters was not a given, which was evidenced by the results of the early primaries. The strong support of Biden among Black voters is the result of a strategic consolidation of the Black voting bloc and Biden’s efforts to engage the Black community. 

“People of color turned out overwhelmingly for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and white people turned out in a big way for Donald Trump.  If Joe Biden wins, it means that a coalition led by people of color is now the dominant political reality in the US,” said Henry Fernandez, principal at AARC. “Most decisions Trump made as President and in his campaign were about stopping this transition to a country that is no longer dominated politically by white voters. He’s trying to turn back this sea change in American politics—a progressive sea change that has led to better health coverage, a focus on police reform, and a House of Representatives that has fought Trump for the last two years.”

The poll of more than 15,000 Americans who voted included 4,100 African American respondents from key battleground states, including Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin, as well as a national sample. The full array of data can be viewed on the 2020 American Election Eve Poll website. 

The lead pollsters for the 2020 American Election Eve Poll include the African American Research Collaborative, Latino Decisions, and Asian American Decisions. Several organizations joined NAACP and Vera to sponsor the poll, including AAPI Civic Engagement Fund, UnidosUS, America’s Voice, Advancement Project, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Community Change, Demos, Faith In Action, Florida Alliance, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Momento Latino, National Congress of American Indians, National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Urban League, Race Forward, RuralOrganizing.org, SEIU, and Voter Participation Center.

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Link to the 2020 American Election Eve Poll Presentation: https://bit.ly/3p0sQAW

Link to media webinar recording and materials: http://bit.ly/AEEP-AA-Media-Kit

The 2020 American Election Eve Poll Presentation Webinar is available on the NAACP Facebook page.

The webinar live stream recording is also available on the America’s Voice Facebook page.

 

About the African American Research Collaborative

The African American Research Collaborative (AARC) provides high-quality research and analysis on the political interests, motivations, and goals of African Americans. Our expert team of pollsters, researchers, and analysts has vast experience in polling, African American political behavior, and issues that affect us all: the economy, education, housing, civil rights, policing, jobs, grassroots organizing and social justice

 

About the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.

 

About the Vera Institute of Justice

The Vera Institute of Justice is a justice reform change agent. Vera produces ideas, analysis, and research that inspire change in the systems people rely upon for safety and justice. Vera collaborates with the communities most impacted by these systems and works in close partnership with government and civic leaders to implement change. Across projects, Vera is committed to explicitly and effectively reducing the burdens of the justice system on people of color and frames all work with an understanding of our country’s history of racial oppression. Vera is currently pursuing core priorities of ending the misuse of jails, transforming conditions of confinement, providing legal services for immigrants, and ensuring that justice systems more effectively serve America’s increasingly diverse communities. Vera has offices in Brooklyn, NY; Washington, DC; New Orleans, and Los Angeles.

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New post from the NAACP: Statement on Recent Posts Claiming to be from NAACP by Aba Blankson

NAACP VP of Marketing and Communications @Trovon_Williams comments on recent threatening white nationalist claims on social media. pic.twitter.com/PN76rsfxRn

— NAACP (@NAACP) November 6, 2020

Washington, DC (November 5th, 2020) – In recent days, several social media platforms have posted statements purporting that the NAACP has received information about white nationalists groups initiations during the weekend after the election, and previously during the fourth of July weekend.

The National NAACP has not released any such statement. While we take all matters of racial discrimination and racial hatred seriously, these statements are not from the NAACP.

These social media posts and press releases appear to be associated with a Huey P. Newton group, which has no affiliation to the NAACP.

All official NAACP statements can be found on our website at www.naacp.org or @naacp on official NAACP social media platforms.

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This statement has been updated to reflect recent and incoming claims.

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