NAACP To Counter Virginia KKK Rally with Peace Rally
Hate-Group Seeking to Contest Removal of Confederate Statue
Malik Russell
Director of Communications
mrussell@naacpnet.org
410-580-5761 office
Contact: Lynn M. Bod, Secretary
Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP
naacp1947@gmail.com
Saturday, July 8, 2017, 2- 5: p.m. Jack Jouett Middle School 210 Lambs Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
Charlottesville, VA—In response to reports of a Klu Klux Klan rally to contest the removal of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s statue, the Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP plans a peaceful counter rally on Saturday, July 8th in Charlottesville. The NAACP has committed to removing and advocating the removal of Confederate symbols, including statues and from flags in cities all around the nation. In Charlottesville, they continue to support the call to remove the statue of Robert E. Lee.
In response to the NAACP’s call to remove symbols of hatred and White Supremacy around the nation, many White Supremacist groups have attempted to force jurisdictions to move backwards to a time when racism was lawful and legal by maintaining the symbols of a culture that could only exist off the backs of millions of enslaved Africans.
The NAACP’s has fought against the KKK for a century and was a staunch protester of the 1915 film, Birth of a Nation — which depicted freed blacks as slovenly, frivolous, lazy brutes who lusted after white women while depicting the KKK as “gallant saviors” – the film is still used today as a recruitment tool for Klan Membership.
“As the nation’s oldest and most revered civil rights organization, 108 years to be exact, the NAACP recognizes, appreciates and supports the 1st amendment rights of all persons whether or not we agree with particular forms of expression,” said Janette B. Martin, President, and Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP.
“We will remain vigilant and true to our mission: to ensure the political, social, economic and educational equality of rights of all persons, and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination,” she added.
On Saturday, the Charlottesville NAACP will hold its Albemarle- Steadfast and Immovable Rally from 2- 5: p.m. at the Jack Jouett Middle School 210 Lambs Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
The Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP Branch and other branches throughout Virginia are asking others to join them in taking a stand against racism and for justice, equality and civil rights.
Confirmed Rally Speakers include:
- Janette Boyd Martin, President, Albemarle- Charlottesville NAACP
- Rev. Dr. Susan Minasian, Pastor, Sojourners United Church of Christ in Charlottesville
- Joe Szakos, Executive Director, Virginia Organizing
- Shirley Roundtree, Area Chair, Region 11. VSC
- George Mentore, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Virginia
- Walt Heinecke, Associate Professor. Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia
- Claudrena Harold, Associate Professor of History, Carter G. Woodson Institute at the University of Virginia
- Philip Thompson, President, Loudoun County NAACP Branch
- King Salim Khalfani, Director, Americans Resisting Minority & Ethnic Discrimination
- Weston Gobar, President, Black Student Alliance at the University of Virginia
Saturday, July 8, 2017, 2- 5: p.m. Jack Jouett Middle School 210 Lambs Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901