Submitted by Alicia Mercedes, amercedes@naacpnet.org
BOSTON — During the Opening Public Mass Meeting, NAACP National Convention attendees heard from NAACP leaders as well as federal, state, local and community leaders as the Association both recognized the city’s vibrant Black community and celebrated the opportunity to gather in Boston, home of the NAACP’s first chartered branch.
Leon W. Russell, NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman, officially opened the Convention during the Public Mass Meeting. Chairman Russell called for a full stop to hate and renewed the Association’s commitment to fighting in the face of injustice and bigotry in his remarks.
“They continue to wage a war on education, health care, and opportunity to create new ways to criminalize our brothers and sisters and we have all felt the impact and bitter sting of this bigotry and bias,” said Chairman Russell. “But today and every day after, the NAACP will not back down. We will litigate, advocate, and insist that our communities understand that their freedom and our democracy are at stake. We have the power, and that power is our vote. We must use our voices as tools to create a world where we can and will all thrive together.”
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Congressman Jim Clyburn, Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and Mayor Michelle Wu addressed the excited crowd along with Attorney General of Massachusetts Andrea Campbell who moderated a Q&A discussion with Vice President Kamala Harris.
During her conversation with Attorney General Campbell, Vice President Harris emphasized the urgent need for Black voters nationwide to make their voices heard. The Vice President also highlighted the need to take action and remain vigilant to increasing attempts to silence and disenfranchise Black communities as it relates to critical issues ranging from affirmative action, to gun violence and reproductive rights.
The NAACP would like to thank each of the following key sponsors who help make the National Convention possible: Bain Capital, MassMutual, State Street, Sanofi, Boston Building Trades, Boston Medical Center, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Delta Airlines, Verizon, UPS, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Ford Motor Company Fund, and The National Building Trades Union.
