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Statement from the President - NAACP
Press Statement February 6, 2023

NAACP Calls on President Biden to Continue the Fight for Racial Equity Ahead of State of the Union

Statement from the President - NAACP

BALTIMORE — Ahead of President Biden's State of the Union address to Congress tomorrow evening, NAACP President & CEO, Derrick Johnson released the following statement calling for a continued commitment to advance racial equity:

"Over the past two years, Black America has experienced the leadership of a president who has demonstrated his commitment to advancing racial equity. From supporting Black homeownership and HBCUs to protecting voting rights and leading the country out of a pandemic, the Biden Administration has followed through on issues the NAACP fiercely advocated for — but the work is not done.  As our country reckons with yet another Black life taken by law enforcement, we know that the only acceptable response is action. The NAACP looks forward to hearing how President Biden plans to take our cries for justice and turn them into real progress during his address tomorrow.

While some newly elected and incumbent lawmakers are looking to turn back the clock on hard-won progress, we call on the Biden Administration to fight for an America where Black people can truly thrive. That means pushing Congress to finally pass police reform legislation. It means putting a stop to voter suppression and the spread of disinformation that threatens our elections. It means supporting diversity, equity, and innovation in education and canceling student debt. It means ensuring access to high-quality health care, including reproductive care, and making prescription medications affordable for all. It means looking out for Black communities and other communities of color who bear the brunt of our climate crisis. 

The NAACP  will continue to push for policies that protect Black America – both our democracy and our policy needs – as we have for the last 114 years. We'll be listening tomorrow and expect to hear real plans on how to build on our progress and deliver much-needed justice."

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ABOUT NAACP

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) 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.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF –  was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation's first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.