Alabama NAACP Kicks Off Conference In Tuskegee
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Members of Alabama’s NAACP chapter are meeting in Tuskegee for their statewide conference.
This is the 62nd time the group has gotten together, and they say their goal is to bring positive changes to the state.
The state chapter wanted to come to Tuskegee to remind members of some of the state’s history as well as why the organization is still relevant even today.
As hundreds of people check into hotels for this year’s NAACP conference many are keeping in mind this year’s theme is All For Justice and Democracy.
The local chapter hosting says that covers a number of issues.
“Our branch has been on the firing line all year. Whether it was medicaid expansion, education equality, housing around the state, we have been on the battlefield so we’re delighted that you’ve come,” said Barbara Howard, President of the Tuskegee-Macon County branch.
Whether you’re planning on attending, State President Benard Simelton wants everyone in the state to do one thing this November.
“Every person that is 18 years or older, go to the polls and vote. You have until October the 20th to register. The NAACP can’t tell you who to vote for, but we can tell you to register to vote,” said Simelton.
Members will have a busy agenda during the conference, including an election for new officers.
Simelton says that it’s been a busy year for the group.
Most recently, members marched around the capitol for a week in August trying to raise awareness for social issues.
He says the group is needed now just as much as when it was founded.
“It was relevent in 1909, we see young men still being shot down for not apparent reason other than the color of their skin almost. So these are the issues,” said Simelton.
The conference will run through the weekend and wrap up on Sunday.
