AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

by Dwight | Jan 22, 2019 | News

This was an extraordinary year for the NAACP. From building more political power in communities of color to fighting to protect the federal bench from those who have a record of purposefully harming our communities, we’ve had great successes—and it was your support that made it all happen. Here’s a look at what we did this year:

In January, the NAACP kicked off a civil rights economic and environmental justice initiative to connect 30+ communities of color and low income communities across the nation with solar energy infrastructure for homes and community centers, as well as skills training for solar jobs, all supported by strengthened solar equity policies.

In February, NAACP signed a partnership agreement with UN Women, the global champion for gender equality. The strategic partnership will enhance both organizations’ commitment to empower women by creating an environment of equity in which all women can exercise their human and civil rights. The partnership will further NAACP’s dedication to engaging with Africans and the African Diaspora.

In March, our participation at the March for Our Lives rally went viral when national Youth & College Director, Tiffany Dena Loftin, passionately spoke about the underrepresentation of Black and brown voices in the gun violence and gun control debate.

In April, NAACP leadership, current and former faith, labor and Civil Rights leaders, branch and youth members, activists, supporters and citizens alike went to Memphis, Tennessee by bus, plane, train, automobile and other means, committed to fittingly honor the sacrifice of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and salute the dignity of the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers, each of which ascended to history in that city five decades ago.

In June, we filed a lawsuit against the state of Connecticut to challenge the practice of counting prisoners as residents of the state legislative districts where they are incarcerated rather than in their home districts—a practice known as “prison gerrymandering.”

In July, we hosted NAACP hosted its 109th Annual National Convention in San Antonio, TX. The convention drew thousands of people to the Alamo City including members, celebrities, elected officials and faith leaders to discuss the critical issues affecting commuities of color, and strategize for the 2018 midterm elections and beyond.

In August, we secured victory for DREAMers when a judge sided with us in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration. The district court ruled that the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) violated the Administrative Procedure Act by rescinding the DACA program without sufficient explanation.

In September, NAACP, the nation’s foremost civil rights organization joined forces with 13 leading social justice organizations to release a Call to Action issued by singer-songwriter and actor, John Legend, urging senators to #StopKavanaugh.

In October, NAACP partnered with its allies in the faith community to ensure the Black community is mobilized and ready to vote. Compelling public service announcements were a critical part of the campaign, and in the series of videos, faith leaders tell viewers that respecting the Black community should be a top priority for elected officials and that we all need to vote because our lives depend on it.

In November, after months of advocacy against Thomas Farr’s nomination to a lifetime appointment in the Eastern District of North Carolina, we were able to stop the confirmation. Notorious for his aversion to civil rights, NAACP opposed his nomination from the start and sponsored several delegations of North Carolinians to travel to North Carolina and oppose his nomination.

In December, we led a digital protest, #LogOutFacebook in response to the tech company’s history of data hacks which unfairly target its users of color. We were joined by thousands of advocates, celebrities, elected officials and partners to take a stand, to let Facebook know that they need to do better. They made it known that you will no longer tolerate privacy breaches, hate speech, bias, and misinformation.

None of this would have been possible without your support. We’re ready to take on 2019, but you can give us a headstart by donating today. Click here to fund our fight.