MEDIA CONTACT Da’Quan Love, Executive Director 804-972-3310 press@naacpva.org
Virginia NAACP To Meet With Gov. Northam, Sec. Moran, and Col. Settle Today
RICHMOND – The Virginia NAACP announced that it will meet with Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran, and Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. Gary Settle this afternoon.
“The Virginia NAACP looks forward to a productive and fruitful conversation about the future of public safety in the Commonwealth,” said Robert N. Barnette, Jr., president of the Virginia NAACP.
ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP
Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org.
MEDIA CONTACT Da’Quan Love, Executive Director 804-972-3310 press@naacpva.org
Spotsylvania Branch NAACP Successfully Negotiates Public Release of Police Bodycam Footage In County Sheriff’s Deputy-Involved Shooting
SPOTSYLVANIA, VA – This afternoon the Spotsylvania Branch NAACP announced it had successfully arranged for the public release of the police bodycam footage in the sheriff’s deputy-involved shooting two days ago. Today’s announcement comes after the Spotsylvania Branch NAACP arranged for the victim’s family to view the footage prior to its public release.
“Trust of our local law enforcement relies on transparency and accountability,” said Mozett Petway, president of the Spotsylvania Branch NAACP. “We are grateful for the preexisting relationships with our local law enforcement officials that helped expedite this vital request. The Spotsylvania Branch NAACP will continue working with the family and investigating this incident.”
The Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP Branch is committed to
informing our community about important issues and ensuring that public
participation is accessible to all. The following statement of objectives is
found on the first page of the NAACP Constitution outlining our principal goals:
To
ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all
citizens
To
achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens
of the United States
To
remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes
To
seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing
civil rights
To
inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to
seek its elimination
To
educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful
action to secure the exercise thereof, and to take any other lawful action
in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP’s Articles
of Incorporation and this Constitution.
In light of those goals, we have prepared this 2021 Primary
Voter Guide to inform local voters of the choices available to them in this
year’s primary elections, and encourage you to use this information to get
informed and get involved.
The 2021 Primary
Elections
The Democratic Party will hold a primary election at regular
polling locations on June 8 from 6am-7pm to select its candidates
for statewide and local offices. Early voting (absentee in-person) begins April
24 and runs through June 5. All voters who intend to vote Democratic in
November can participate in the primary. The last day to register to vote in
the June 8 primary is May 17.
The Republican Party will select its 2021 candidates by a
convention on May 8, with voting by delegates in each
Congressional District. The 5th Congressional District will have
four voting locations. A full description of the Republican Convention process
can be found at https://virginia.gop/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-03-12-2021-Convention-Call.pdf.
For more information, including other voter guides and voter
registration information, click here or go to the More
Resources section at the end of this 2021 Primary Voter Guide.
Who’s Running
The offices on the 2021 primary ballot in Albemarle County
and Charlottesville are listed below. You can jump to the lists of candidates
by clicking on the appropriate office, or just scroll down.
Other offices, including State Delegate, Albemarle County
Board of Supervisors, and other local offices, are not contested in the
primary, and will appear on the general election ballot on November 2.
Independent candidates will also appear on the November ballot.
Jennifer Carroll Foy https://jennifercarrollfoy.com Offices Held – State Delegate, VA. 2nd District 2017-2020 Occupation: Attorney, Public DefenderLee Carter http://carterforvirginia.com Offices Held – State Delegate Virginia, 50th 2018-Present Occupation: IT SpecialistJustin Fairfax https://justinfairfax.com Offices Held – Lieutenant Governor, 2018-Present Occupation: Attorney
Jennifer McClellan https://jennifermcclellan.com Offices Held – State Senator, VA. 9th , 2018-Present State Delegate, VA. 71st 2006-2017 Occupation: AttorneyTerry McAuliffe https://terrymcauliffe.com Offices Held – Virginia Governor 2014-2018 Occupation: Entrepreneur
Republicans
Amanda Chase https://chaseforva.com Offices Held – State Senator, VA.11th – 2016 – Present Occupation: Financial PlannerKirk Cox – https://kirkcox.com Offices Held – State Delegate , VA. 66th 1990 – Present Occupation: Former High School TeacherSergio de la Pena – https://www.sergiodelapena.com Occupation: U.S. Army Colonel, ret., former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
Peter Doran
Peter Doran https:// www.peterdoran.com Occupation: Political AnalystOctavia Johnson https://octaviajohnson.com Offices Held – Roanoke Sheriff – 2006-2013 Occupation: Law Enforcement, retired
Pete Snyder
Pete Snyder https://petesnyder.com Occupation: Tech Entrepreneur, FOX Commentator Glenn Youngkin https://www.youngkinforgovernor.com Occupation: CEO, The Carlyle Group investment company
Candidates for Lieutenant
Governor
Democrats
Haya Ayala
Haya Ayala https://www.hayaforvirginia.com Offices Held – State Delegate, VA. 51st 2018-Present Occupation: Cybersecurity Specialist
Mark Levine
Mark Levine https://www.levineforvirginia.com Offices Held – State Delegate, VA. 45th, 2016-Present Occupation: Attorney, Television Commentator
Andria McClellan
Andria McClellan https://andriaforvirginia.com/meet-andria/ Offices Held – Norfolk City Council Member, 2017-Present Occupation: EntrepreneurSean Perryman https://perrymanforvirginia.com Offices Held – President, Fairfax Co. NAACP Occupation: Attorney, Director of Social Impact, Internet Association
Sam Rasoul http://sam4va.com Offices Held – State Delegate, VA. 11th, 2014-Present Occupation: Health Care Advocate
Xavier Warren
Xavier Warren http://xavierforvirginia.com Occupation: Small Business Owner
Puneet Ahluwalia https://wwwpuneetforlg.com Occupation: Business Consultant Lance Allen https://lanceforva.com Occupation: Security Company ExecutiveGlenn Davis https://www.davisforlg.com Offices Held – Virginia Beach City Council Member, 2009-2013 State Delegate, VA. 84th, 2014-Present Occupation: Telecommunications Company ExecutiveTim Hugo https://timhugo.com Offices Held – State Delegate, VA. 40th, 2003-2020 Occupation: Tax Preparation Association Executive Director
Maeve T. Rigler https://www.maeveforvirginia.com Occupation: President and CEO, Securus Capital
Winsome Sears https://winsomesears.com Offices Held – State Delegate, VA. 90th, 2002-2004 Occupation: Electrician, Homeless Shelter Director
Mark Herring https://herringforag.com Offices Held – Member, Loudon County Board of Supervisors, 2000-2003 State Senator, VA. 33rd, 2006-20014 Virginia Attorney General – 2014-Present Occupation: Attorney
Jay Jones http://www.jayjones.com Offices Held – State Delegate, VA. 89th, 2018-Present Occupation: Attorney
Leslie Haley https: haleyforag.com Offices Held – Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, 2016-Present Occupation: AttorneyJason Miyares https://www.jasonmiyares.com Offices Held – State Delegate, VA. 82nd, 2016-Present Occupation: Real Estate Broker, Former Prosecutor
Chuck Smith https:chucksmithforag.com Occupation: Attorney
Jack White
Jack White https://votejackwhite.com Occupation: Attorney
Candidates for Charlottesville City
Council (for two open seats)
Democrats
Carl E. Brown https://www.facebook.com/carl.e.brown.14 Occupation: Non-profit Program ManagerBrian Pinkston www.pinkstonforcouncil.org Occupation: Mechanical Engineer, Project Manager
Juandiego Wade juandiegowade.com Offices Held – Charlottesville School Board, 2006-Present Occupation: Career Coordinator, Transportation Planner
Candidates for
Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney
For information about registering to vote or hosting a voter
registration drive, contact the Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP Voter
Registration Coordinator at 434-987-1042, kszakos@gmail.com.
You can access voter registration, find your polling place,
apply to vote absentee, or check your registration status at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation
or by calling your local registrar.
More information about voting and elections is available
from the local voter registration offices: Albemarle County – 434-970-3250;
Charlottesville – 434-972-4173, as well as from the State Department of
Elections at https://www.elections.virginia.gov.
Charlottesville Tomorrow 2021 Voter Guide
Democratic State Delegate Sally Hudson produced a series of
video interviews with several Democratic candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor
and Attorney General. They can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-2qQ099l6OoSpzQHqADBKQ/videos.
The League of Women Voters of the Charlottesville Area has
information about voting
Isle of Wight NAACP Calls For The Immediate Resignation Of The Town Of Windsor’s Chief of Police
“After watching the press conference held by Windsor’s officials on April 14, 2021, we were appalled by the statements and subsequent actions by town officials as well as the Chief of Police.
Please see the attached letter to local and state officials outlining the Isle of Wight NAACP’s reasons demanding the resignation of Chief Rodney Riddle and Officer Daniel Crocker as well as the community’s first set of requests to the Town of Windsor’s officials.”
-Valerie Butler President of the Isle of Wight Chapter of the NAACP
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE (NAACP)
Valerie Cofer Butler, President Isle of Wight Branch #7079 Rudolph Jefferson, Vice President Lauren Harrison, Secretary Diane Bowser, Treasurer —– Post Office Box 639, Smithfield, VA 23431 757-357-3812
April 16, 2021
The Honorable Mayor Glyn Willis Williams Saunders, Town Manager of Windsor
The Honorable Greg Willis Vice Mayor, Walter Bernacki, J. Randy Carr, George Stubbs, and Jake Red
To the Leadership of the Town of Windsor:
We are writing this letter in light of the recent events that have occurred in the Town of Windsor Virginia. The incident that transpired on December 5, 2020 between Lt. Caron Nazario and Officers Daniel Crocker and Joe Gutierrez; and the timeline of events that followed, have left the citizens of the Town of Windsor, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Nation with more questions than answers. From the onset, Officer Crocker initiated this stop because of tinted windows and the location of the vehicle’s license plate. Upon seeing the flashing lights, Lt. Nazario decreased his speed and slowly pulled over to a well-lit area. Officer Crocker “immediately” escalated this situation by radioing to the dispatcher that this was a “high – risk traffic stop” and that the driver was “eluding police”; only to later admit in a written report that Lt. Nazario was traveling at a low rate of speed. Upon exiting his vehicle, Officer Crocker “continued” his escalation by drawing his gun during a simple traffic stop, yelling conflicting orders at Lt. Nazario and would later search his vehicle without cause. During this traffic stop, Officer Crocker stood by “idly” as the other officer used taunting language towards Lt. Nazario, pepper sprayed him and would later join with the other officer by using unnecessary physical force during the detainment. If this brief summary of facts does not constitute immediate grounds for termination. Then we must ask the Town of Windsor and its officials, what does? Throughout this process Chief Riddle has been complicit in this entire situation. He stated that on December 8, 2020 an internal investigation of this incident began, with it concluding on January 28, 2021. The investigation conceded that the “Windsor Police Department policy was not followed.” and “disciplinary action was taken” but both officers were allowed to remain on their’
jobs. During Chief Riddle’s first public press briefing regarding this incident, on April 14, 2021, Chief Riddle admitted the only reason he terminated Officer Gutierrez was due to the video going viral. This leads our community to wonder if any disciplinary actions were taken against the officers on January 28, 2021, as originally stated by the Chief of Police. Instead of taking full responsibility for the actions of these officers – as a leader should – Chief Riddle chooses to invoke favoritism by letting the community know of his longtime personal ties with Officer Crocker. He further defends his officers by stating they used de-escalation tactics through this stop and that Officers Gutierrez and Crocker “initially reacted relatively well” during the traffic stop. He further offended the African American community by stating that “with some additional training” Officer Crocker “would continue to serve this community well”. After these egregious actions by the police officers, the Chief of Police, feels Lt Caron Nazario does not deserve an apology. And instead seems more focused on protecting the brand of the police department than the concerns of our citizens. This gives many in the community the perception that Chief Riddle can no longer effectively lead, protect and serve the entire community. The Town of Windsor and the Chief of Police have stated that they are “reaching out to community stakeholders to engage in dialogue”. We as the NAACP and other African American community leaders have attempted to reach out to the Town Officials and the Police Department on numerous occasions since the video went viral on April 9, 2021 and we have received no response. As leaders of this town, it is your responsibility to be transparent and accountable to citizens who both agree and disagree with you. Many African Americans and other allies have lost complete confidence in the Town of Windsor and the Police Department due to their handling of this case. For the aforementioned reasons and many others, we are immediately calling for the resignations or terminations of Chief Rodney Riddle and Officer Daniel Crocker.
The nation is watching as this situation unfolds. And in the coming days we will continue to speak with and listen to the citizens of Windsor and the surrounding area. Based on our initial conversations with the citizens of the Town of Windsor. We are requesting the following from the Town of Windsor: 1. The January 2021 Windsor Police Department’s newly implemented department wide training manual 2. A timeline in which you will implement a Citizens Review Board. 3. The hiring of an active duty African American patrol police officer. Let us be abundantly clear, this Chapter of the NAACP will not stand by “idly” as oppression and injustice occur to Army Lt. Caron Nazario and the Citizens of Windsor.
I am yours truly,
Valerie Cofer Butler President, Isle of Wight NAACP Brandon Randleman Advocacy Advisor to the Isle of Wight NAACP
CC: Chief Rodney Riddle, CC: The Honorable Senator L. Louise Lucas, Senate District 18 CC: The Honorable Delegate Emily Brewer, House District 64
Virginia NAACP Launches Campaign to End Qualified Immunity In Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT Da’Quan Love, Executive Director 804-972-3310 press@naacpva.org
Virginia NAACP Launches Campaign to End Qualified Immunity In Virginia
RICHMOND – Today, the Virginia NAACP announced a renewed commitment to finally ending qualified immunity for law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. After investigating multiple officer-involved incidents over the past five months, the Virginia NAACP has had enough and is demanding real change.
“We watched with horror the so-called traffic stop in Windsor,” said Virginia NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr., referring to the now widely-circulated video clip of Caron Nazario, a Black Army second lieutenant who was pulled over in Windsor, Virginia. Despite being in uniform, Nazario immediately had guns drawn towards him by two town police officers.
In the clip, Nazario is frightened, stating that he is “honestly afraid to get out.” The officer then responds: “Yeah, you should be.” President Barnette reacted: “The fact that an officer who is supposed to ‘protect and serve’ felt embolden enough to state this is the root of the problem. This isn’t the first officer we have seen without fear of consequences for their actions.”
The issue of improving interactions between Black Virginians and law enforcement has been at the forefront of the Virginia NAACP’s advocacy and policy agenda this year. Just last week, the Virginia NAACP announced a renewed effort to find ways to ensure justice and transparency in officer-involved shootings.
In the wake of this recent incident, the Virginia NAACP hopes Virginia officials will use this as an opportunity to make real change. “While we applaud the immediate reactions of Virginia’s government officials, we believe that now is the time for Governor Ralph Northam to call a special session of the Virginia General Assembly to pass House Bill 2045 sponsored by Delegate Jeff Bourne to finally end qualified immunity,” said Virginia NAACP Executive Director Da’Quan Marcell Love. He went on to say: “The Virginia NAACP strongly believes that the Commonwealth must end qualified immunity NOW. Black Virginians can’t wait until next January.”
Expressing a renewed sense of urgency, the Virginia NAACP has issued a call to its more than 100 local units to begin fundraising immediately to support this advocacy campaign’s lobbying efforts. A campaign website has been launched at https://ENDQIVA.org to accept individual contributions.
ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP
Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Charlotte Gomer, Director of Communications cgomer@oag.state.va.us AG HERRING AND VIRGINIA NAACP LAUNCH EFFORT TO REFORM HANDLING OF OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS IN VIRGINIA~ Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring and the Virginia NAACP are launching a collaborative effort to identify and help implement reforms to the way the Commonwealth of Virginia and its law enforcement agencies handle investigations into officer-involved shooting deaths. The goal of the effort is to ensure the most possible transparency, impartiality, and public confidence in investigations into officer-involved shooting deaths. “Investigations into officer-involved shootings should be handled by independent, unaffiliated agencies in order to avoid conflicts of interest, and to maximize the public’s confidence that justice will be served and the matter will be handled in the most honest, objective, and transparent way possible,” said Attorney General Herring. “Self-investigation of such a serious matter can understandably lead to doubt or skepticism about the outcome, which can in turn lead to mistrust and damaged relationships between agencies and the communities they serve. In recent years, different states have pursued unique and innovative strategies for handling these matters, and I intend to engage my colleagues around the county and the Commonwealth to build a consensus around a stronger process that promotes transparency, impartiality, and public trust.” “I thank President Barnette and the Virginia NAACP for their leadership on this issue and their unwavering commitment to ensuring justice, safety, equality, and opportunity for all Virginians.” Attorney General Herring has worked to promote safe, fair, and just policing as part of his broader efforts to reform Virginia’s criminal justice system. He launched the OAG’s largest ever training initiative on 21st policing skills like implicit bias awareness, de-escalation, and cultural competency. He has also advocated for higher training standards for officers, as well as stronger accountability mechanisms to decertify officers who do not meet the Commonwealth’s standards. He has advocated for independent investigations of officer-involved shootings as a standard practice, and worked with legislators to secure authority for the Attorney General to conduct “pattern or practice” investigations that can identify and stop illegal or unconstitutional policing, making Virginia one of the few states to enact this important accountability measure.# # #
MEDIA CONTACT Da’Quan Love, Executive Director 804-972-3310 press@naacpva.org
Virginia NAACP Statement Following Meeting with Virginia Attorney General
RICHMOND – Today the Virginia NAACP announced a collaborative effort between the Virginia Attorney General and the Virginia State Conference NAACP to craft policy solutions that will address the Commonwealth’s response to shooting deaths involving police officers. This effort resulted from a meeting held Monday with Virginia NAACP leaders, Attorney General Mark Herring, and his staff.
“The Virginia NAACP urged the Attorney General to take a holistic approach to identify tangible solutions that address this growing problem here in the Commonwealth,” said Robert. N. Barnette, Jr., President of the Virginia NAACP. “Virginia must have a well-defined policy that ensures impartial investigation, transparency of facts, and reassures Virginians that justice will be served in fatal cases involving law enforcement officers.”
As a civil rights advocacy organization, the Virginia NAACP plans to remain focused on identifying long-term policy measures that its more than 100 branches can advocate for on the local and state government levels. In working with the Attorney General’s office, the Virginia NAACP hopes to bring state agencies and community leaders together to bring meaningful policy recommendations that lead to systemic change.
The meeting was convened at the request of the Virginia NAACP following the tragic shooting death of Xzavier Hill by a Virginia State Police officer. At the urging of the Virginia NAACP, Attorney General Herring committed to continue reviewing the authority his office has to investigate the matter. President Barnette indicated that the Virginia NAACP was continuing its own investigation saying, “We look forward to subsequent meetings with the Attorney General in the coming weeks.”
ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP
Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting VSCNAACP.org.
MEDIA CONTACT Da’Quan Love, Executive Director 804-972-3310 press@naacpva.org
Virginia NAACP Urges State Board Of Elections To Grant Deadline Extensions
RICHMOND – Virginia NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr. issued the following statement regarding the recent inaction of the State Board of Elections:
“The Virginia NAACP is growing concerned with the appearance of disparate treatment of candidates of color by the State Board of Elections with regards to the extension of deadlines. The fact that the recently disqualified candidates were of color who sought to challenge incumbent legislators adds to our concerns.
The Virginia NAACP calls upon the State Board of Elections to grant deadline extensions in the same manner it has consistently done in the past. Finally, the Virginia NAACP calls upon the State Board of Elections to immediately release the demographic data of candidates who they have granted or not granted deadline extensions in the past five years.”
ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP
Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting VSCNAACP.org.
