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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 15, 2024
This day – Monday, January 15, 2024 – falls on the actual birthday of the celebrated civil rights icon.
In 1983, Congress designated MLK Day as a federal holiday. This day is observed by many as a day of service. It is also a day to reflect upon the impact which the civil rights leader has made in voting rights, racial injustice, and inequality.
Dr. King may be remembered by most people for his “I Had a Dream” speech. As we remember what Dr. King expressed in his speech, it appears that in today’s polarized climate, we might ask ourselves, will the Dream ever become a reality? It seems that the response of a segment of the populus appears to disavow the Dream as a possibility of ever becoming reality. But we must remember that hope springs eternal, and continue to accept the seemingly never-ending challenges of life in order that one day, our children and grandchildren will be the recipients of our efforts. When We Fight, We Win!
Janette B. Martin, President
Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP
JUDGE SIDES WITH GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN IN VIRGINIA NAACP LAWSUIT
Statement from Virginia NAACP:
“Virginia’s returning citizens, and all Virginians, deserve to know the truth about Governor Youngkin’s rights restoration process and why he has restored voting rights to only a fraction of those eligible. Virginia NAACP has worked tirelessly over the past seven months to obtain public records—records which it is entitled to under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (”VFOIA”)—in order to shine a light on this process, which has a discriminatory impact on Black Virginians and other Virginians of color. It is outrageous that Governor Youngkin continues to fight tooth and nail to withhold key information about this process—including even what information he considers when determining whether to restore an individual’s sacred right to vote.
We are disappointed in Judge Marchant’s limited ruling today that the governor’s restoration of rights database is exempt from production under VFOIA, even in partially redacted form removing applicants’ personal identifying information. This database contains key information, including the information collected about each applicant that informs the rights restoration decision. Moreover, the evidence presented today shows that this database is also used for other purposes—such as communications with applicants and other state agencies—and, therefore, is disseminated outside the Governor’s Office, making at least these portions of the database subject to public disclosure under VFOIA.
We will continue to fight to vindicate our right to review these public records and again call on Governor Youngkin to make public the complete criteria he uses to determine whether to restore an individual’s right to vote and to commit to a process that fairly and promptly restores the rights of all eligible returning citizens.”
Press Release – ALBEMARLE-CHARLOTTESVILLE NAACP – EDUCATION COMMITTEE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2023
Contact: Corlis Anderson; ctanderson54@gmail.com
Local NAACP Branch Calls for Safe Learning Environment & Equitable Resources in Charlottesville City Schools
In response to the recent events at Charlottesville High School,
the Albemarle-Charlottesville Branch #7057 of the NAACP releases the following statement:
Every child deserves an opportunity to reach their full potential. To bridge academic gaps and ensure that all children get a real chance at a fulfilling education, we need to address systemic racism and poverty as tangible barriers to learning and future achievement. Every Black student deserves access to great teaching, equitable resources, and a safe learning environment from grade school classrooms to college campuses. Black students matter, and working on their behalf has never been more urgent.
Students need family and community engagement and resources that encourage physical and mental health for their overall well-being, which allows for stronger academic development. We support students getting the education and skills development they need, so they can be successful on the job or in an academic environment.
We need strategies and investments that build accountability to advance the success of children of color. Black children deserve to experience culturally relevant, student-centered learning and appropriate discipline measures. Our goal is to work to expand policies and interventions that equip families and communities to better support their kids’ needs in school.
Furthermore, in compliance with NAACP policy, we:
- Advocate for reforms to include issues of discipline in the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the main federal law that addresses achievement gaps among students.
- Work to change state laws to remove zero tolerance policies from being a default or requirement for districts.
- Advocate at district level for policies that do not remove students from school and ensure that students being disciplined get access to a challenging curriculum.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
ALBEMARLE-CHARLOTTESVILLE NAACP BRANCH 7057
VIRGINIA STATE CONFERENCE NAACP
November 13, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT
Karen E. Jones, (540) 449-4742 | kjones@naacpva.org
Virginia NAACP Encourages the Election of an African American Majority Leader in the Senate of Virginia
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – Virginia NAACP is encouraged by the impending historical event of having an African American Speaker of the House, Speaker-Designee Don Scott, while simultaneously having an African American majority leader in the Senate. Senator Mamie Locke, who, based on her seniority and her demonstrated leadership in the Senate as the Senate Caucus leader, her appointments as chair of the Rules, Virginia Housing Commission, and Freedom on Information Advisory Council, is the apparent choice for Senate Majority Leader. The path to equity and equality in the Commonwealth has been a steady but oftentimes slow and inconsistent journey. The attainment of political, economic, social, and educational rights for all people, regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, or gender, has a clearer path when political leadership reflects the entirety of the Commonwealth’s residents.
Rev. Cozy Bailey, President, stated: “In the post Reconstruction era, Virginia has in the past elected an African American governor and two African American lieutenant governors. On the eve of this next great historical event, we are given hope for an even greater future.”
ABOUT THE NAACP Virginia State Conference
Chartered in 1935, the NAACP Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth. The NAACP Virginia advocates, agitates, and litigates for civil rights due to Black Virginians. Representing over 100 NAACP adult branches, youth councils, and college chapters, together, we fight to build the social and political power required to abolish racial discrimination in localities throughout Virginia. To learn more about the work of the Virginia NAACP and the issues we advocate for, visit naacpva.org.
COMMERATING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MILITARY EXPERIENCE
ALBEMARLE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PROCLOMATION – JOHN HENRY JAMES
NAACP Condemns SCOTUS Ruling on Affirmative Action
Today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued extreme decisions reversing decades of precedent on affirmative action. The court’s rulings in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. University of North Carolina jeopardize hard-fought progress for Black Americans in classrooms and beyond. NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson released the following statement reaffirming the Association’s commitment to tools that support equal access to higher education for Black students: “Today the Supreme Court has bowed to the personally held beliefs of an extremist minority. We will not allow hate-inspired people in power to turn back the clock and undermine our hard-won victories. The tricks of America’s dark past will not be tolerated. Let me be clear – affirmative action exists because we cannot rely on colleges, universities, and employers to enact admissions and hiring practices that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion. Race plays an undeniable role in shaping the identities of and quality of life for Black Americans. In a society still scarred by the wounds of racial disparities, the Supreme Court has displayed a willful ignorance of our reality. The NAACP will not be deterred nor silenced in our fight to hold leaders and institutions accountable for their role in embracing diversity no matter what.” At noon, NAACP National Director of Youth & College Wisdom Cole, led a group of students and activists in a mobilization starting at the Supreme Court steps. Cole said of today’s decision: “This is a dark day in America. Affirmative action has been a beacon of hope for generations of Black students. It stood as a powerful force against the insidious poison of racism and sexism, aiming to level the playing field and provide a fair shot at a high-quality education for all. Students across the country are wide awake to the clear and present danger encroaching on their classrooms. We will continue to fight, organize, mobilize and vote against all attempts to hold us back. We will hold the line against this clear pattern of hate. We will thrive!” Thriving Together, Derrick Johnson @DerrickNAACP President and CEO NAACP |
JOHN HENRY JAMES MOTION
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE INRE: JOHN HENRY JAMES CASE NO.:
MOTION
Comes now the Commonwealth’s Attorney, James Hingeley, and presents the following motion, saying as follows:
- On July 11, 1898 an African American man, John Henry James, was accused of assaulting a white woman, Julia Hotopp, in Albemarle County. The Commonwealth believes this was a false accusation.
- Following his arrest, John Henry James was placed into custody at the Albemarle County jail, but then was transferred to a jail in Staunton to protect him from a mob that was forming around the Albemarle County jail.
- On July 12, 1898 John Henry James was on a train returning from Staunton to Albemarle County when an armed and unmasked mob of white men seized Mr. James by storming the train when it slowed for a scheduled stop at Wood’s Crossing in Albemarle County.
- John Henry James was taken from the train and hanged from a nearby locust tree. After his death, the lynch mob fired dozens of bullets into Mr. James’ body. There were published reports that Mr. James professed his innocence while he was being murdered.
- At the time John Henry James was being lynched, a grand jury was meeting in Albemarle County Circuit Court to consider indicting Mr. James on the charge of assaulting Julia Hotopp. Micajah Woods, the Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney, presented evidence to the grand jury.
- Despite having learned of the death of John Henry James while they were meeting, the grand jury proceeded to return a posthumous indictment charging Mr. James with rape. The indictment is attached hereto, marked as Exhibit 1.
- The indictment presented in these circumstances should be without legal effect. Nevertheless, the indictment has remained in the court record, where it stands as an official, but wholly unjust, accusation of John Henry James.
- No action of this Court can undo the injustice of the racial terror lynching that took place in Albemarle County 125 years ago, but this Court can and should purge the record that unjustly gives official credence to the charge against John Henry James.
- No action of this Court can make amends for the failures of the Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Micajah Woods, and the Albemarle County Sheriff, Lucien
- Watts, (who was present at the lynching and could have identified people in the mob), to bring charges against the perpetrators. The perpetrators of this racial terror lynching acted with impunity because they knew that the Albemarle County authorities would not hold them accountable.
- It is in the interest of justice, healing, and restoration for the Court to make an accounting on the record disavowing the actions that caused the death of John Henry James on July 12, 1898 and acknowledging the complicity of those law enforcement officials who countenanced the racial terror lynching in Albemarle County.
- The jurisdiction of this Court is invoked under Va. Code § 17.1-513 providing that Circuit Courts shall “have original jurisdiction of all indictments for felonies.”
WHEREFORE, the Commonwealth moves this honorable Court 1) to consider such evidence as may be heard in open Court on July 12, 2023 at 4:00 p.m., 2) to strike the indictment of John Henry James from the record, and 3) to grant such other and further relief as may be appropriate.
Please note that a hearing on the motion is scheduled in Albemarle County Circuit Court on Wednesday, July 12, at 4:00 p.m., and I am hoping NAACP members will be interested in attending. July 12, 2023 is the 125th anniversary of the lynching of John Henry James. //Jim Hingeley j
James Hingeley
Commonwealth’s Attorney
410 East High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 972-4072
(434) 972-4073 fax
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CANDIDATES’ FORUM – JUNE 12, 2023
ALBEMARLE-CHARLOTTESVILLE NAACP 7057B
CANDIDATES’ FORUM – ZOOM PRESENTATION
The Political Action Committee will be hosting a virtual candidates’ forum at the June 12th branch meeting: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
7-7:45pm: Creigh Deeds and Sally Hudson (11th Senatorial District)
7:45-8:30pm: Amy Laufer and Kellen Squire (55th House of Delegates seat)
ZOOM LINK:
Topic: Alb-Cville NAACP’s Zoom Meeting – CANDIDATES’ FORUM
Time: Jun 12, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 875 4481 1055
Passcode: 282951
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