Readout of Civil Rights Leaders Meeting with Senator Joe Manchin

Media 06.8,21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stephen Peters, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, [email protected], 202.466.1887
Don Owens, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, [email protected], 202.934.1880
Marc Banks, NAACP, [email protected], 443.608.4073
Rachel Noerdlinger, National Action Network, [email protected], 212.681.1380
Angelo Greco, The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, [email protected], 917.499.2688
Tkeban X.T. Jahannes, National Council of Negro Women, [email protected]
Teresa Candori, National Urban League, [email protected], 212.558.5362

WASHINGTON – National civil rights leaders today issued a joint readout on their meeting with Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.):

“In a very constructive meeting today, national civil rights leaders met with Senator Manchin to share our policy priorities and concerns related to voting rights and police reform. Specifically, the groups expressed their collective views on the need for Congress to pass both the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. 

“The two voting rights bills are a top priority and essential to protect the freedom to vote. There continues to be an unprecedented partisan wave of state legislative proposals that are aimed at denying the right to vote — particularly for Black and Brown people. The leaders also conveyed to Senator Manchin that a minority of senators must not be able to abuse the filibuster to impede much needed progress. Congress must act so all Americans have meaningful access to the ballot.

“The groups also urged the senator to support the Justice in Policing Act to provide meaningful changes that would restore trust in law enforcement by holding police accountable for misconduct and ensure the safety of all community members — including Black and Brown people who have disportionately experienced abuse at the hands of police.

“The leaders also shared their appreciation for Senator Manchin’s support of nominees for the U.S. Department of Justice, Vanita Gupta and Kristen Clarke.”

Meeting attendees included: 

  • Melanie L. Campbell, President and CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable
  • Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D., National Chair, National Council of Negro Women
  • Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
  • Damon Hewitt, president and executive director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
  • Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP
  • Marc H. Morial, president and CEO, National Urban League
  • Reverend Al Sharpton, president and founder, National Action Network

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Now in its 58th year, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is continuing its quest to “Move America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and voting rights.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.

National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality or gender. For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net

National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) is a Washington, D.C.-based charitable organization making a difference in the lives of women, children, and families through a four-pronged strategy that emphasizes entrepreneurship, health equity, STEAM education, and civic engagement. Founded 85 years ago, NCNW has 310 community and campus-based sections and thirty-two national affiliates representing more than Two Million women and men. NCNW Current programs include Good Health WINs (Women’s Immunization Networks), GirlTech, HBCU College Fair, Millennial Entrepreneurs and Adulting 101. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D., is the National Chair and Seventh President of NCNW. For more information please visit www.ncnw.org or NCNW’s social channels via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), founded in 1976, is one of the most active civil rights and social justice organizations in the nation “dedicated to increasing civic engagement, economic and voter empowerment in Black America.” The Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) is the women and girls empowerment arm of the NCBCP. At the forefront of championing just and equitable public policy on behalf of Black women, BWR promotes their health and wellness, economic security & prosperity, education and global empowerment as key elements for success. Visit www.ncbcp.org and follow us on Twitter @ncbcp and Instagram @thenationalcoalition.

The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its 91 local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people annually nationwide. Visit www.nul.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @NatUrbanLeague.

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