The NAACP hosted a National Call to Action Tele-Townhall on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. Thousands of concerned Americans participated and heard from NAACP leaders on how they can help push back against the current attack on civil rights and the right to vote. Out of this call came several important questions, and the NAACP has provided answers that will help voters become more informed. Learn more below:
How can I get involved with the NAACP in my community?
- There are many ways to get involved! Are you interested in standing on the frontline with the nation’s premier civil rights organization? Take out a membership with us and sign up with your local branch. We have approximately 2,200 adult branches, youth councils, and college chapters in 50 states, 5 countries and the District of Columbia, the NAACP is actively engaged in increasing the African American responsiveness of citizens to be fully engaged in the democratic process.
- Not sure what branch is in your area? Find out what unit is closes to you. Reach out to a branch to find out when their next branch meeting is, so you can learn what’s happening in your community.
- Sign up for our text alerts to stay up-to-date with the issues that the NAACP is advocating for on the national level as well as in your area. Text NAACP to 40649 today.
How can the NAACP help with my legal case?
- The NAACP maintains an active docket of Civil Rights cases, frequently in conjunction with a team of cooperating lawyers around the nation.
- The NAACP fights to prevent the erosion of Civil Rights law across our nation. Please note: The NAACP may provide legal information to concerned citizens, but does not provide legal advice. For legal advice, please consult a local attorney.
What is the civic engagement plan for 2018?
- The overall messaging for 2018 is “Vote Our Lives Depend On It”. We have seen over and over since this Trump Administration came into office that there has been a heightened level of blatant hate and racism towards people of color in America. This administration has brought about a sense of division that we cannot continue to let burden our nation. With only a few weeks left until the 2018 Midterm Elections, we must take action! We must vote, and we must mobilize our communities to get to the polls.
- #Turnout18 is a campaign we are using to urge our members to actively engage in increasing African American participation in the democratic process. You can access the full campaign tool kit here. The NAACP Turn Out 2018 Civic Engagement program is designed to leverage our collective resources to deliver on a shared agenda for the Black community and all communities of color through:
- Relational Organizing– Generating one-on-one conversations to increase turn out in communities and on key campuses across the nation through local activist and residents.
- Increased Voter Turn Out– Expanding turn out among infrequent Black voters in 2018 and beyond (Using three targeting Models).
- Voter Registration – Registering new Black voters in locations organized by census track and counties.
- #Powerof5 is a challenge we are using to show that there is power in 5! If we each register and mobilize our 5, we can defeat any and all political giants who stand in our way! You can access the campaign tool kit here.
- Register 5 new voters – Do this before the deadline.
- Ensure that 5 people get to the polls – Ideally the folks you have registered.
- Volunteer – 5 minutes, 5 hours or 5 days – Make sure we have the highest turnout ever!
How can I check my voter registration?
- Visit the NAACP Civic Action Center. The Civic Action Center allows you to check and verify your registration status, party affiliation, registered address, identify your polling place and much more. It also allows you to register to vote, check your ballot candidates and learn about early voting.
Why should millennials vote?
What social media efforts will the NAACP be doing for the midterm election?
- The NAACP is running several social media campaigns this midterm cycle. You can follow the hashtags to stay in the loop and to share your midterm election stories.
- #Turnout18
- #PowerOf5
- #LevelUpNAACP
- #OurLivesDependOnIt
What is the NAACP doing in regards to the Brett Kavanaugh judicial nomination?
- At the close of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court, the NAACP calls upon the Senate to conduct a special investigation into possible perjury by Judge Kavanaugh.
- NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson is among six prominent African-American civil rights leaders who sent a letter to Senate leaders to express their concern that the Senate is not meeting its responsibility to fully and impartially evaluate the fitness of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
- The civil rights leaders also requested a meeting with Senate leadership to discuss a process “to restore the faith and trust of the communities we represent in the Senate and the legitimacy of the Supreme Court confirmation process.”
- The NAACP continues to lead the conversation to #HaltTheHearing
- For more information on what we know and what we need to know to make a fully informed decision, as well as how you can advocate. View the NAACP Issued Action Alert.
How does the NAACP feel about President Trump?
- The NAACP is always fighting to end racial hatred and discrimination and guarantee everyone a place in our democracy.
- We have worked with presidents on both sides of the political spectrum to achieve this aim, and, in the case of President Trump, we invited him to our annual convention – an invitation he turned down two years in a row.
- If he is willing to work with us to advance civil rights in our country, our door is always open – but we have yet to see that commitment or interest from him.
- Should the President continue to demonstrate no interest in listening to issues facing the Black community, we are not going to agonize – we are going to organize.
- With or without the President by our side, we will continue to fight against racism, discrimination and threats to our democracy.
Continue to check back and stay connected on social media for more answered questions.
