The NAACP Providence Branch strongly condemns the decision on Affirmative Action by the Supreme Court of the United States.

Statement from NAACP Providence Branch President Gerard C. Catala

PROVIDENCE (June 29, 2023) – The NAACP Providence Branch echoes the sentiments of our National President & CEO Derrick Johnson and Director Wisdom Cole as we stand firmly with our National Office in a collective effort to make clear, affirmative action exists to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion, and shall not be overlooked during the admissions and hiring processes. The NAACP Providence Branch will not be discouraged by this decision, we will continue to speak out against the racial injustices brought upon the majority of kind hearted citizens of this country by the insensitive cowardly beliefs by the extremist minority who aim to set our great nation back decades. Both leading locally and in support nationally, the Providence Branch will hold all institutions and employers accountable to their respective roles in embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to using all the tools possible to address historical atrocities that have hampered the progress of African Americans and other people of color in this country.

The 1952 Brown v. Board of Education case in which the Court decided that the “separate but equal” standards of racial segregation were unconstitutional, paved the way for the Civil Rights Act 1964, equal education under the law, and affirmative action of 1978 . Brown v. Board of Ed. was the case that overturned the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson case in which the court ruled separate but equal was constitutional. We present this abridgment of history because we feel today’s decision by the SCOTUS has the potential to set a precedent that could overturn the Brown v. Board of Education setting our nation back decades.

The opinion of Justice Thomas, who claims Historically Black Colleges and Universities do not embrace diversity, is unfounded, appalling, and highly inappropriate to suggest. Justice Thomas’ rationale has the potential to undo decades of precedent and set our country back to a time where racial inequity ruled the day. Evidence of these extremist Conservative Republican ideals can be found in Florida under the watchful eye of Governor DeSantis who’s slowly trying to reintroduce practices that will deny black people access to advanced studies of our history.

The NAACP Providence Branch condemns the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States and all action that go against the vision and mission of the NAACP, our Partner, and entities that share in our endeavor to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.

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The NAACP Providence Branch Demands an Immediate Apology from Walmart

Statement from the NAACP Providence Branch President Gerald C. Catala

PROVIDENCE (June 23, 2023) – The NAACP Providence Branch is appalled by the racist display of a Black person of color, in particular, the presentation of a young black man in a cage for all patrons to see upon entering the Providence Walmart.

Images of black people in cages represent a long, dark history in this country. From the reality of slavery to the normalizing depictions in everyday entertainment and the harsh realization of the disproportionate number and mass incarceration of black people across our country. Walmart should apologize and recognize that this is insulting and hurtful to Black people in particular, but to all people of color as a whole, which is a large sector of their customer base at that particular Walmart.

The NAACP Providence Branch demands an immediate apology from Walmart to all communities of color. While we understand this is a teachable moment for us all as we grapple with racial inequality in our country and in our communities, in 2023 after our country has been honored with our first Black President and First Black, Black Female Vice President, and First Black Lt. Governor of color, the NAACP Providence branch will not sit idle and allow blatant acts of racism go unaddressed. Our aim is to eliminate racism whenever it is presented and to work proactively with our community partners to ensure racism, anti semitism, homophobia, and hate crimes of all kinds are prevented. I ask all our community partners to stand with us in our demand for an apology.

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ABOUT NAACP

The NAACP Providence Branch, in our 110th year in existence, we are proud to acknowledge our history of courageously pursuing a consistent dedicated course toward the achievement and preservation of civil rights. The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people.