Civic Engagement Headlines
Georgia NAACP Wins Voting Rights Victory
A consent order on Tuesday, October 17th, 2017, that the State will no longer be able to cut off voter registration beyond 30 days of any federal elections, including in federal runoff elections. The consent order continues a winning streak for the NAACP.
Read MoreRepeating History: Remembering Events Leading to Nov. 10, 1898 Wilmington Massacre
White supremacists in 1989 vowed to end this “Negro domination” in the 1898 state legislative elections. In 1900, the North Carolina legislature effectively stripped African Americans of the vote through the grandfather clause and ushered in the worst of the Jim Crow laws.
Read MoreThe Fight to Protect Voting Rights Continues #StayWoke We Must Take Every Opportunity to Fight Voter Suppression
Oftentimes, the flashier issues and nonstop, highly visible attacks against the foundation of our nation’s values take our minds off of the critical bread and butter issue that, without which, there is no true democracy—the vote.
Read MoreThe Fight for Fair Maps Continues on August 22 at 4pm
For three election cycles — 6 long years — the all-white Republican Caucus that rigged elections to gain super-majority control of the General Assembly, was unconstitutionally seated. The U.S. Supreme Court recently affirmed 9-0 that this Republican Caucus used racist
Read MoreFourth Straight Supreme Court Victory for the Fusion Electorate of North Carolina
Statement by North Carolina NAACP President, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II: DURHAM- For the fourth time in the past few weeks, the highest court in the land has found racial motives and impacts in the actions of the Berger-Tillis-Moore
Read MorePresident Trump Should Consider CBC Budget If He’s Serious about Helping Black America
A nation’s budget is a document that reflects its priorities. The President has proposed a $54 billion increase in military spending, which would be offset with deep cuts to programs that support education, rebuild our infrastructure, ensure clean air and
Read MoreHow ‘voter fraud’ crusades undermine voting rights
President Donald Trump has “voter fraud” on the brain. Bizarrely, after winning the 2016 presidential election, Trump has raised questions about the legitimacy of his own victory by claiming that the election was tainted by widespread voter fraud. Indeed, the
Read MoreHistoric Warnings: When shall “the people” become so corrupted as to need despotic government?
Dr. Benjamin Franklin rose with a speech in his hand, which he had reduced to writing for his own convenience: Mr. President I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but
Read MoreStand with the NAACP: Refuse to sit by silently
Response Requested: Sign your name and stand with the NAACP >> Last week, a group of protestors led by NAACP President Cornell William Brooks were arrested for holding a sit-in inside Senator Sessions’ office. It was a peaceful protest of
Read MoreNAACP Calls on Senate to Block Sessions as Attorney General
Historic and current failure to acknowledge voter suppression remains a key issue BALTIMORE, MD – NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks issued the following statement opposing the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions as potential Attorney General: “America yet stands at the beginning
Read MoreThe Real Reason Trump Won: White Fright
By Christopher Sebastian Parker, Professor of Political Science, University of Washington Many presidents have assumed the reins of a divided nation, but we’ve never seen anything like the reaction to Donald J. Trump’s 2016 presidential election. It didn’t happen to Richard Nixon
Read MoreVoting Rights: Questions Arise About Trump Vote Totals in 3 Key States
Voting rights advocates are scrambling to see if recounts are feasible in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. By Steven Rosenfeld / AlterNet A series of explanation-defying questions surrounding Donald Trump’s victories in key 2016 swing states has prompted a cadre of
Read MoreNorth Carolina Losing Its Southern Drawl
North Carolina was reluctant to become a swing state. Republicans won all but one presidential election in North Carolina from 1968 to 2004. George W. Bush captured a commanding lead of almost 13 percent in 2000 and 2004. However, the state
Read MoreDURHAM, N.C. Moral March to the Polls Phone Banking Rally
Monday, November 7, 2016 7:00 pm at Union Baptist Church 904 N Roxboro St. Durham, NC Click here to watch this event live.
Read MoreUPCOMING EVENTS: FAYETTEVILLE – Moral March to the Polls
Get Out The Vote Conference Monday, November 7, 2016 12:00 pm at Evans Metropolitan AME Zion Church 301 N. Cool Spring St. Fayetteville, NC
Read MoreFederal Judge Issues Order Blocking Mass Purge of Voters From North Carolina Rolls
Ruling Comes in NAACP Suit Charging State Illegally Suppressed Right to Vote of Thousands of Black Residents In At Least Three Counties, Voters Declared Ineligible Following Bogus Change- in-Residence Claims; Violates National Voting Registration Act DURHAM—A federal judge
Read MoreEarly Voting Is Critical to Our Democracy
Early voting has already begun in some 37 states and Washington D.C. Yet, many Blacks remain unaware of this option, or of the benefits it offers. But the folks who want to suppress the Black vote sure know about it.
Read MoreBlack Women’s Roundtable Launches National Vote Effort
The Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) and the Unity’16 Campaign of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) recently announced a nationwide “Get Out the Vote” campaign. BWR is the women and girls empowerment arm of The National Coalition on
Read MoreFaith Communities Mobilize to Protect Vulnerable Voters on Election Day
(WASHINGTON, D.C.)— Longtime Christian social justice movement, Sojourners is leveraging its network of people, partner churches and social justice organizations to witness and confront voter intimidation on Election Day. Volunteers will help maintain a peaceful voting experience, especially for vulnerable
Read MoreDNC Partners with the NNPA to Reach Black Voters
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, October 6, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the nation’s largest trade association of African American-owned newspapers and media companies, announced that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has planned a national advertising campaign with the
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know about Voting on Tuesday, November 8
November 8, are you ready to vote? Are you registered? These may seem like simplistic questions, especially for those who are aware, but every year some folks are denied access to the polls, because they didn’t register on time, or
Read MoreHistoric Black Voter Turnout Project for 2016 Election
The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) proudly asserts that, “We are the authentic voice of Black America.” We must use that voice as an urgent clarion call for a massive, historic and unprecedented Black American voter turnout on November 8,
Read MoreLawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Takes an In-Depth Look at Social Justice Litigation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new report – “Toward a More Just Justice System” released 8/18/16 by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), in collaboration with Atlas Learning Project, “TCC Group” and Arnold & Porter LLP, – addresses
Read MoreStanding with Love, Standing for the Right to Vote Thursday, August 18th
“Forward Together Moral Movement” Celebrating With “Reform Jewish” Community! Thursday August 18th to Saturday, August 20th A weekend of voting rights and voter registration Standing with Love, Standing for the Right to Vote Thursday, August 18th 7:00 PM to 9:00
Read MoreUpcoming Board of Election Dates
Dear NAACP Members: On July 29th, the people of North Carolina got justice when the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to overturn the Monster Voter Suppression Law. This victory immediately: eliminated the Photo-Voter ID restriction restored Same-Day Registration restored Pre-registration opportunities
Read MoreVoting rights become a proxy war in the 2016 presidential election
Voting rights: Republicans – with a helping nudge from the United States Supreme Court’s conservative majority (of which more below) – are passing restrictive voting rights laws in states where they control both branches of government. Meanwhile, Democrats are expanding
Read MoreEmergency Voting Rights Gathering
Saturday, August 6, 2016 Commemorate | Celebrate | Activate Commemorate the signing of the Voting Rights Act, celebrate our victory in the 4th Circuit, and activate the vote in 2016 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER On the 51st anniversary of the
Read MoreCourt of Appeals Rejects Governor McCrory’s Efforts to Suppress the Right to Vote in North Carolina
Court of Appeals Rejects Governor McCrory’s Efforts to Suppress the Right to Vote in North Carolina; Permanently Blocks Voter ID and Other Extremist Tactics to Keep Black and Brown Voters from Exercising the Right to Vote – A Statement from
Read MoreThe Good Faith Illusion: Searching for Economic Justice
The more I investigate the status of economic justice in public spending the clearer the horror of economic exclusion becomes. Once I was reminded that the objective of equity in public spending had been addressed in NCGS § 143-128.2, Minority
Read MoreWhy Register? Why Vote? Economic Justice
This article is a continuation of our focus on the influence of politics on economic justice. However, I would be remiss in my coverage of voter suppression if I fail to make observations about duplicity in the treatment of voting
Read MoreUnfinished Business of NCGS § 143-128.2: Goals, Fair Share & Good Faith
Our readers know that over the past several months we’ve focused our articles on the economics of politics, voter engagement and the lack of fair and equitable spending when it comes to public bodies. I’m continuing this focus by touching
Read MoreLeft Out of the Economy: Will Blacks Vote?
The American economic system is not working for far too many Black voters and communities. This reality is going to cause a major drag on voter participation come November, as has too often been the case in the past. And
Read MoreThe Economics of Politics: Voters of Color Seek Fair Share
Now that the Primary Elections have come and gone, for the most part, all eyes have turned to the November General Elections. In the past I’ve written about Donald Trump, Birtherism, the KKK and the Grand Old Party (GOP). This
Read MoreThe KKK, Birtherism, and the GOP: You Can’t Ignore History
First things first; Tuesday, March 15th is Election Day in North Carolina. As responsible citizens we should understand that “Black Lives Matter” and that the aspirations of generations of people of color are always on the ballot. Not voting is
Read MoreBranding America’s GOP: Birtherism, Voter Suppression and the KKK
The Republican talking class is expressing shock and horror that Donald Trump “Birther in Chief” has become the face and standard of their party. Their anxiety seems to revolve around the fact that their party is home to hate groups,
Read MoreThe Die Is Cast: Elected Officials Reject Economic Exclusion
On Monday, February 1, 2016, Pitt County Board of Education officials served notice, to all that care, that the economic exclusion of communities and people of color is totally unacceptable. Board members, the Honorable Mary Blount-Williams and the Honorable Mildred
Read MoreCall to Action: Triangle Voter Rights Forum & GOTV Rally
Efforts to protect and expand voting rights in North Carolina continue to gain strength. Details of our third forum, the Triangle Voters Right Forum and Get Out The Voter (GOTV) Rally are being finalized for ongoing announcements. We are pleased
Read MoreBlack Business Matters: Beyond Disparity Studies
As I’ve written in the past, the Black leadership discussions of politics or economics in North Carolina remained debatable issues until politics gained supremacy at some indefinite time in the early 1980’s. As Black political power grew so did efforts
Read MoreThe Question Was Political Accountability? The Answer Is Profound
Our first Voter Rights Forum, held in Fayetteville in November 2015, revealed the issue that has stymied Black leaders and communities throughout the Civil Rights Movement. The question has always been simple but the answer has always been elusive. The
Read MoreVote Your Aspirations Understanding the Value of Political Participation
Educate, Organize, Mobilize – All Americans should support and aspire to equal opportunity under the law. However, the 400 year history of slavery, Jim Crow and anti-civil rights activities continue to impede the legitimate aspirations of Black Americans to equal opportunity
Read MoreVoter Rights Forums Protecting and Expanding Voter Rights: First Congressional District’s Voter Rights Forums
Efforts to protect and expand voting rights in North Carolina continue to gain strength with voter rights forums. The plan by Black elected officials and a coalition of Black publishers to convene a series of voter rights forums has taken shape
Read MoreOvercoming Twin Threats to Voting Rights
Educate, Organize, Mobilize – With filings completed, candidates and parties are searching for their paths to victory in the March Primaries and November General Elections. Finding these paths is especially difficult for candidates and parties depending upon a massive turnout of
Read MoreUnited Against Voter Suppression and Apathy
Educate, Organize, Mobilize – Over the past several weeks grassroots leaders and Black Elected Officials have combined their efforts to address serious voter apathy in Black communities, and voter suppression. Recently the NC Black Elected Municipal Officials (NC BEMO) and
Read MoreCommonality of Purpose: Massive Voter Participation
Educate, Organize, Mobilize – Last week my article, If Apathy is the Issue, What is the answer? addressed a major issue identified at our first Voter Rights forum. This week I’ll address the same issue with the objective of leading to
Read MoreIf Apathy Is the Issue, What Is the Answer?
Educate, Organize, Mobilize — Our first Voter Rights Forum identified several challenging issues that have to be resolved if we’re to succeed in November 2016. As addressed in my article of November 12, the critical issues discussed were voter education,
Read MoreThe Changing Political Landscape: A Critical Juncture
Last week we reported on our first voter rights forum. This week we’ll consider our findings and ideas for addressing some of the issues they identified. I’m pleased that we have tentatively scheduled our second forum for January 9, 2016.
Read MoreFirst Voter Rights Forum: Insights
Educate, Organize and Mobilize – Our first Voter Rights Forum was held on Saturday, November 7th in Fayetteville, NC. The forum was open and free to the public. I describe the forum as being very insightful and suggestive of a
Read MoreVoter Rights Forum: Desired Outcomes
Educate, Organize and Mobilize – Many of you know that our first Voter Rights Forum is being held on Saturday, November 7th at the Westover Recreation Center, located at 267 Bonanza Dr. Fayetteville, NC 28303, from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The forum
Read MoreBlack Publishers: Connecting the Dots
Educate, Organize and Mobilize – Last week I wrote about efforts to protect and expand voting rights in North Carolina. We noted that our first forum will be held at the Westover Recreation Center located at 267 Bonanza Dr. Fayetteville, NC
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Radicals in the Democratic Party, from Upton Sinclair to Bernie Sanders
As we watch Bernie Sanders’ supporters struggling to come to terms with the nomination of Hillary Clinton, it makes sense to ask why leftists are involved in the Democratic Party in the first place. It started in 1934 when Upton
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