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.
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
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 !
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
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.
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
Virginia NAACP Announces Black History Month Commemoration
RICHMOND – The Virginia State Conference of the NAACP (Virginia NAACP) is pleased to announce its Black History Month Commemoration event schedule.
The first event to kick off the month will be the “Transit Equity Day for Civil Rights and a Healthy Planet,” to be held virtually on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 1:30 pm.
“In our community, there’s a problem with accessibility and equity to resources needed to live our everyday lives. One space we see this in day-in and day-out is within transit. The annual celebration of Transit Equity Day is where we come together to learn more about the unfair transit practices we encounter and how we can change them! Together, we can make a change. Join the Virginia NAACP for our virtual Transit Equity Day event where you can not only learn about the changes needed, but also, be the change we need,” states Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette.
The second event: “The Urgency of Now Rally” will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 11 am. This in-person event will take place at the Bell Tower on the Capitol Square to commemorate Black History. Special guests will include leaders from the Virginia NAACP, National NAACP, and other civil rights organizations.
For more information and to register for these events, please visit naacpva.org
MEDIA CONTACT Da’Quan Love, Executive Director 804-972-3310 press@naacpva.org
Virginia NAACP Opposed to Confirmation of Andrew Wheeler as Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources
RICHMOND – Today the Virginia State Conference NAACP (Virginia NAACP) outlined its grave concerns with the appointment of Mr. Andrew Wheeler to serve as Virginia’s next Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources and vowed its adamant opposition to his confirmation by the Virginia General Assembly.
Virginia NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Chairman Karen Campblin said:
“During Mr. Wheeler’s career, serving as a lobbyist in the fossil fuel/coal industry and most recently the US EPA Administrator, he led many efforts to weaken environmental protections, lower emission standards, and allow pollutants to contaminate resources unchecked and unmitigated. It is imperative that the next Secretary has a strong commitment to prioritize the health and wellness of all Virginians, particularly our vulnerable populations.”
Virginia NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr. said:
“We demand Governor Youngkin immediately rescind the nomination of Mr. Andrew Wheeler and urge all legislators to block Mr. Wheeler’s confirmation.”
The Virginia NAACP urges Governor Youngkin to re-evaluate Mr. Wheeler’s qualifications as well as, other appointments to make sure the potential candidate will carry out the duties of the position fairly, equitably, and without political agenda or reprisal. Governor Youngkin’s administration must set a high standard and demand nothing less than putting all peoples of the Commonwealth first.
The role of the Secretary is to advance Virginia’s environmental and conservation policies, protect, and restore our natural and historic resources, and oversee all-natural and historic state agencies.
The NAACP in collaboration with the Clean Air Task Force, published Fumes Across the Fenceline, a seminal report which analyzed the health impacts on Black communities located adjacent to fossil fuel facilities.
The report stated Blacks are exposed to 38% more polluted air than their white counterparts and are 75% more likely to live in a Fenceline community. Fenceline communities are typically Black, communities of color, and low wealth communities located adjacent to hazardous facilities and are directly affected by the facility’s operations (i.e. noise, fumes, emissions, odor, traffic, etc.). These communities are overburdened by the effects of pollution and experience higher rates of asthma, cancers, upper respiratory illnesses, and other diseases.
While this is not the only cabinet head nomination of concern the Virginia NAACP, Mr. Wheeler’s nomination resulted in an unprecedented, unanimous vote of no confidence by the Virginia NAACP Executive Committee comprised of NAACP leaders across the Commonwealth.
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.
