NAACP President Slams Alabama Government for Passage of Anti-DEI Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2024
Contact: Alicia Mercedes, amercedes@naacpnet.org
WASHINGTON - Today, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed an extremist, regressive bill into law that prohibits public schools and universities from maintaining or funding diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The bill, known as SB129, mimics a wave of anti-Black legislation being enacted in states across the nation.
NAACP President & CEO, Derrick Johnson released the following statement in reaction to today's news:
"Today, the Alabama government has failed our children. The ongoing assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion is part of an anti-Black agenda that seeks to revert our nation back to a time where Black students and teachers were denied adequate access to the classroom. We refuse to go back. The NAACP remains committed to exploring all avenues of advocacy, mobilization, and litigation to ensure that our young people have the resources and support they deserve. But we can't do this alone. As we have for centuries, it's time for our community to band together and use our collective power to correct the course of justice. This fight is far from over. What side of history will you be on?"
Last week, the NAACP sent a letter to the NCAA, urging Black athletes to reconsider their decision to attend predominantly white colleges and universities that fail to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. The letter was specifically targeted at Florida universities due to the exorbitant profits reaped as a result of Black talent who compete at schools across the state. Alabama, home to one of the nation's largest college football programs at the University of Alabama, profited more than $50 million from football alone during the 2022 fiscal year.
To learn more about NAACP's work to create equitable educational outcomes, visit our website.
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About NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.