Anna Hartz
NAACP Says Trump Is Working Against Civil Rights, Denies Him Convention Spot
For over a century, U.S. presidents have been invited to speak at the NAACP’s national convention.
The event has welcomed leaders from both political parties. That changed this year.
For the first time in its 116-year history, the civil rights group has chosen not to invite a sitting president. President Donald Trump will not be attending, reports AP.
They Filed Several Lawsuits Against Trump
The NAACP made the announcement on Monday. Its president, Derrick Johnson, said the organization could not welcome someone who they believe is working against civil rights.
“This has nothing to do with political party,” Johnson said. “Our mission is to advance civil rights. The current president has made clear that his mission is to eliminate them.”
The White House did not immediately respond to the announcement. The NAACP has filed several lawsuits against the Trump administration in recent months.
One lawsuit challenged the Department of Education’s decision to withhold funding from schools that kept diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The NAACP said this punished legal efforts to help Black students.
The group pointed out that many past presidents have spoken at the convention, even when they disagreed with the NAACP’s views. Democrat Harry Truman was the first sitting president to attend in 1947.
Not a Decision Made Lightly
Republican George W. Bush also spoke at the convention in 2006. At that time, his administration was under fire for how it responded to Hurricane Katrina. The storm had hit Black communities especially hard.
Even Ronald Reagan, a president often criticized by civil rights leaders, spoke at the event. In 1981, during his first year in office, Reagan used his speech to condemn white supremacist hate groups.
He promised to take action against those who used violence or threats to deny Americans their rights.
The NAACP said this year’s decision was not made lightly. They stressed that they have always welcomed leaders willing to speak, even in disagreement. But they believe President Trump’s actions have crossed a line.