Category Archives: News

REMEMBERING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

Remembering DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

Today, January 15, would have been Dr. King’s 94th birthday.

Dr. King’s holiday is celebrated on  Monday, January 16, 2023.

Dr. King was assassinated at the age of 39, in Memphis Tennessee. The holiday will be a time when many observe it as a day of service in the community.

Dr. King’s belief in non-violence would be something that the nation as a whole could pause and reflect upon .For those of us who will observe the holiday, simply remembering the man himself, and what he stood for, would in itself be a way to pay tribute to Dr. King.

Janette B. Martin, President

Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP

CONCERNING NAACP POLICY ISSUES

NAACP Referenced in the Hiring of the Charlottesville, Virginia Police Chief

At the Charlottesville, VA. City Council meeting held on December 5, 2022, it was said that the NAACP provided a reference in the selection of Michael Kochis. Documentation of that conversation between Interim City Manager Michael Rodgers and Mayor Lloyd Snook is on record  and was reported in the Daily Progress December 6, 2022, that” Kochis received references from Warrenton’s Chapters of “Black Lives Matter and the NAACP”.

The NAACP referenced in the article is officially listed as the Fauquier County Branch of the NAACP. There is no chapter of the NAACP in Warrenton which is in Fauquier County.

The references mentioned is the reason for the Albemarle-Charlottesville Branch of the NAACP to clarify what has been stated, The NAACP did not make a reference nor did they endorse any police chief or candidate for office on any level. All official business of any branch/unit is conducted by the Executive Committee in its entirety. and will be documented on the letterhead of the NAACP. and not in a conversation with an officer or member of a branch/ unit.

                   Albemarle- Charlottesville NAACP Executive Committee

WHEN IS ENOUGH GOING TO BE ENOUGH?

When Is Enough Going To Be Enough?

May 24, 2022 – another random shooting occurred! This time, children were targeted. This happened in a place in which we would assume that children could be safe – their school. The victims who were slain in last week’s massacre in Buffalo have not all been laid to rest and yes, we are back with the same story.

Shopping malls, churches, synagogues, movie theaters, grocery stores, and night clubs have been the scenes for shooters who prey upon unsuspecting victims.

I am sure that the vast number of folks would have thought that when children became murder victims, something would be done about the issue of guns being in the hands of irresponsible people. Even the simple request of securing background checks for those who buy weapons, would be a first step. It appears that most Americans would approve of this step as a legislative issue. However, there has been no action from those legislators that were elected to ensure the safety of the American people.

Since the slaughtering of innocent citizens is not a priority of those who could do something about this issue, namely the Congress of the United States, WE need to act now! American people need to realize that elections have consequences. The phrase “our thoughts and prayers are with you” appears to be an automated response, and in some cases, lacking in sincerity because it is repeated so often. ENOUGH IS PAST BEING ENOUGH!

Janette B. Martin, President ALBEMARLE-CHARLOTTESVILLE NAACP

ALBEMARLE-CHARLOTTESVILLE STATEMENT FROM BRANCH PRESIDENT JANETTE B. MARTIN

The Albemarle- Charlottesville NAACP joins in the historic celebration of the first Black woman judge, Ketangi Brown Jackson,  being confirmed to be a Justice on the highest court in the land! This is truly a moment that will forever don history books. Yesterday,  while Judge Jackson was being applauded, some chose to be on the wrong side of history, and failed to realize the importance of her confirmation to the Supreme Court.But, to join in with Senator Cory Booker of the state of New Jersey, even those who could not recognize the significance of her appointment, nothing should let those of us who can and do, see the importance of this event. We will not allow the joy of this historic event and what it means for the country be overlooked!
Judge Jackson, we appreciate you !

VA. NAACP STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN’S INTERIM DOE REPORT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 26, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT
Robert Barnette, President

press@naacpva.org

Virginia NAACP Statement on Governor Youngkin’s Interim DOE Report

RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia State Conference NAACP (Virginia NAACP) is outraged at Governor Younkin’s Executive Order One and the subsequent Interim report submitted by Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow.

Superintendent Balow has in effect declared war on teaching accurate American History by erroneously characterizing truth as divisive and outlawing previous efforts to bring about racial equity. Amy Tillerson-Brown, Ph.D., and chair of the Virginia NAACP Education Committee said, “…none of the resources Secretary Balow requested be rescinded or modified are discriminatory in that they do not promote unjust or prejudicial treatment based on race or gender. Instead, these recommendations will work to unravel

the progress our Commonwealth has made towards racial equity in education.”

The Governor cannot perpetuate this false narrative of “divisive concepts.” Virginia students have the right to an education that is accurate and without censorship.

“Virginia has a long torrid history as it pertains to educating Black children. Black slaves in Virginia were prohibited by law and practice from learning to read or write. Even when Virginia established a free public education system, educating Black children were a complete afterthought. “It is apparent that the Governor has no real interest in teaching our shared history. You cannot characterize truth as divisive and be open to teaching history accurately.” said President Robert N. Barnette, Jr.

In August 2021, the Virginia NAACP issued a press release affirming the importance of teaching Black history in public schools. The mission of the NAACP is in “…inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination…” we are obligated to protest this administration’s attempt to falsify American history through omission of critically important facts.

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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 the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocates 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

ALBEMARLE-CHARLOTTESVILLE NAACP SUPPORT OF STATEMENT

P.O. BOX 1522

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.  22902

February 24, 2022

A statement issued by the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP proclaims that The United States Constitution mandates that Virginia’s General Assembly districts contain substantially equal population. This Constitutional provision ensures that each vote is given equal representational weight – one person, one vote.  However, because the 2021 elections were conducted on maps based upon the 2010 census, this is not currently the case. Therefore, the NAACP’s Statement requests that the State Court will uphold these rights by ordering new elections to be held this year under the new General Assembly maps

The Albemarle- Charlottesville NAACP supports the Virginia NAACP’s call on the courts to order elections based on the redistricted maps.

VA NAACP STATEMENT AGAINST OPTIONAL MASK WEARING IN SCHOOLS

February 9, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT
Da’Quan Love, Executive Director

804-972-3310
press@naacpva.org

Virginia NAACP Issues Statement Against Optional Mask Wearing in School Amidst Virginia Senate’s Passage of SB 739

RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia State Conference of the NAACP (Virginia NAACP) abhors the passage of Senate Bill 739 (SB 739) with Senator Chap Petersen’s amendment where parents are allowed to opt their child out of wearing a mask in school without an explanation required.

“It is disappointing to the Virginia NAACP that Senator Chap Petersen would put forth such an amendment that will knowingly harm the health and safety of our children, teaching staff, and staff personnel in schools,” said Virginia NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr. “His sly tactics will now increase the odds that hundreds of thousands of Virginia’s children may spread and contract COVID-19 while in school.”

SB 739 now, more than before, demonstrates a relentless disregard for the well-being of Virginia’s children and makes schools less safe and inaccessible; especially for our children of color who are already detrimentally and disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and behind because of discriminatory barriers in our education systems.

The Virginia NAACP stands by science and the CDC’s guidance for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools, and with that comes the requirement of masks for our children. Requiring masks in schools is a preventative measure and we will continue to support and encourage all children to wear masks at school and on school buses. To be on any other side is an outright failure to protect the health of the most innocent among us, children.

Virginia NAACP urges all NAACP members and allies to take bold action against SB 739 and urges the House of Delegates upon receipt of SB 739 to reject the bill’s blatant failure to protect school children from the deadly COVID-19 virus and therefore, take all necessary steps to protect students, teachers, administrators, and all school staff.

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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 the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocates 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