Topic: Civil Rights

NAACP Springfield reactivation underway

By Turner McCullough Jr. | April 21, 2008 |

Clarksville Branch officials support neighboring branch efforts

The NAACP, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Springfield Branch is currently undergoing a reactivation and reorganization effort. The branch had lapsed into an inactive status. However, citizens recently have expressed their desire to see the branch once again active and engaged in local affairs as an advocate and watchdog for their civil rights.

Rev. Gardner with Terry McMoore and Jimmie M. Garland Sr. of Clarksville Branch NAACP.

Rev. James Gardner, president of the Springfield Branch, conducted the meeting. The reactivation meeting was attended by more than sixty citizens. He thanked those attending. He stated that the main objective at this point is to increase the membership level to the critical threshold for activation as a viable branch. Due to recent constitution changes, branches are now required to have a minimum of 100 members for activation.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, News, Politics | No Comments

Springfield NAACP branch reorganization forges ahead

By Turner McCullough Jr. | April 14, 2008 |

On the evening of April 10th, the Springfield Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (N.A.A.C.P.) held a reorganization rally. The reorganization effort is being led by Rev. Garner.

Jimmie Garland, 3rd vice-president of the Tennessee State Conference of Branches and president of the Clarksville Branch, addressed the gathering of some sixty residents and citizens. He noted that their mayor had issued a press statement declaring “that as long as the branch had the right kind of leaders and membership, the NAACP was welcome in Springfield!” Garland thanked the mayor for his warm endorsement. He stressed that Rev. Garner was just the kind of strong leader needed to helm the resurgent branch. He continued that people often fear the presence of the NAACP because they always see it as a threat to their comfortable ways. However, he said that is not, and need not, always be the case.

The NAACP believes in advocating for everyone’s civil rights. Membership is not restricted to just Blacks. Hispanics and Latinos, Native Americans, Jews, Caucasians, legal immigrant,or illegal immigrant, men , women and children, heterosexual, gay, young or old. The NAACP is a civil rights advocacy organization that cares for everyone’s civil rights.

Sections: News | No Comments

APSU mock trial explores boundaries of Constitutional Rights

By Debbie Boen | April 8, 2008 |

A “Mock Trial” is being held in conjunction with the American Constitutional Law II class being taught by Dr. Greg Rabidoux in the Department of Political Science. This class deals with individual civil liberties including free speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly. The trial will be held April 8, 10, 15, and 17, (Tuesdays and Thursdays) between 9:30-11:00 at the University Center, Room 308 and is open to the public. The verdict will be announced April 17th at the end of that day’s session.

The issues are on the Bill of Rights and implicate university free speech zones, university speech codes, and the USA Patriot Act powers and students’ rights of free assembly. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Education, Events | No Comments

Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon at APSU

By Debbie Boen | March 27, 2008 |

“Everybody gets several opportunities in life to risk everything they have to become what they can be.”

– Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon

Dr. Jill Eichhorn of Women’s Studies, APSU, told me that she didn’t know exactly what Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon would do for us, but guaranteed that whatever she brought to us would be “great.” Since Jill knows well my interest in civil liberties, and since CO author Terry McMoore had published a story about Dr. Reagon coming here on March 19, I knew I had to see this.

Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon is Professor Emeritus of History at American University. She recently retired after 30 years from performing with Sweet Honey in the Rock, a cappella ensemble she founded in 1973.

APSU President Tim Hall said he knew how music has the capacity to make us listen. It arrests and challenges us. Growing up in a family whose father led singing in the car after church, Hall couldn’t think about war without hearing the song in his head, Where have all the flowers gone by Peter, Paul, and Mary. When civil rights issues surface his mind visits the song, We shall overcome. So it was that he welcomed with utmost respect the civil rights leader, speaker, singer and composer, Bernice Johnson Reagon, to speak. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Events, Issues | No Comments

Justice Department asked to investigate Chad Youth Enhancement Center

January 29, 2008 |

[Nashville TN] A black human rights organization in Nashville has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a criminal investigation and initiate civil litigation against a Middle Tennessee juvenile prison where two teens have been choked to death since 2005.

The organization, Power to the People, in a complaint to the special litigation section of the DOJ, charges that children detained at the Chad Youth Enhancement Center are subjected to “horrid” conditions and “cruel mistreatment.” Located in Ashland City, the juvenile prison houses about 90 troubled youth between the ages of 7 and 17, a large number of whom are black. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News, Opinion | No Comments

In honor of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

By Debbie Boen | January 22, 2008 |

Yesterday several hundred people of all ages filled Burt School’s auditorium and classrooms for workshops and  seminars before the annual NAACP Martin Luther King Day march. Children worked on projects and learned more about the civil rights movement and Rev Martin Luther King Jr.   Director of Schools Michael Harris spoke to adults about their children’s education. Vanderbilt University Professor Wanda Snead addressed issues of  domestic violence, and Valerie Hunter-Kelly of Keller Williams Realty spoke about mortgages and personal finances.

Several elected officials attended today’s event, including State Representative Joe Pitts, County Commissioner Lettie Kendall, and City Council members Barbara Johnson and Marc Harris. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 3 Comments

LBJ vs. MLK flap misses the point

By Nell Levin | January 21, 2008 |

Did Hillary Clinton mean to discount Martin Luther King, Jr. with her remark that it was Lyndon Johnson who actually pushed through the Civil Rights Bill of 1964? Having heard Hillary’s remarks in their full context, I don’t think she meant to take away credit from the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Yes, it took LBJ’s arm-twisting political talents to get the Civil Rights Act passed. Yes, it also took MLK’s tireless, dedicated leadership and oratorical skills to focus the nation’s attention on the heinous injustice of segregation.

That being said, Hillary and the other pundits and political operatives, have missed the point. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | 1 Comment »

Martin Luther King Jr. Day events

By Jimmie Garland, Sr. | January 18, 2008 |

The Clarksville Branch of the NAACP #5582 will host its annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative celebration starting with a Sunday January 20th worship service, which will be held 5:00 pm, at Greater Missionary Baptist Church.

The guest speaker will be Chaplain Alvin Miller, Pastor of the South Chapel located on the Fort Campbell, KY military base. Both churches’ choirs will be combined for this occasion in order to perform the music for the service. Refreshments will be served.

On Monday January 21st from 9am-noon will feature a poster contest, educational classes, and informative seminars for all ages, starting at 9am at Burt Elementary School located in downtown Clarksville. These programs are sponsored by local sororities and other civic organizations.

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorative march through the city will leave Burt School around noon.

The NAACP extends an open invitation to everyone regardless of their ethnicity to participate in these events.

The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. For questions or more information please call Elder Frank E. Washington at (931) 980-1918.

Sections: Events | No Comments