NAACP New Bedford

Minutes

NAACP New Bedford Minutes 8-20-2020

Normally we post monthly Branch meeting minutes to the website in our Documents section. But last night's meeting was focused on the upcoming national convention and Fall Branch elections and we wanted to make sure nobody missed them. Besides being prominently displayed on the webpage, members will be receiving a copy via email. Meeting started 7:14pm Present: Kristina da Fonseca, David Ehrens, Memory Walker, Gilbert Perry, LaSella Hall, Peter Silva, Bert Barao, Jacob Chin, Wendy Garf-Lipp, Andrea Garr-Barnes, Karyn Ramos, Renee Ledbetter, Natasha Ann Fortes. Non members were asked to log out & to join for $30 Unit 2055-B Membership...

NAACP Decries Silencing of Native Voices in Dartmouth ‘Indian’ Debate

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: July 20, 2020 – 8:30 a.m. NAACP Decries Silencing of Native Voices in Dartmouth ‘Indian’ Debate New Bedford – At a meeting of local activists convened by the NAACP, area residents criticized the Dartmouth School Committee’s handling of the debate over the school’s offensive mascot, particularly singling out the Committee’s decision to exclude anyone not a Dartmouth resident from its deliberations. This virtually ensures that no Native tribal members and leaders will be heard. In response, the group agreed to mobilize to ensure that those and other voices are brought before the public. The...

NAACP New Bedford Branch Monthly General Body Meeting

Please join us on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 7:00pm for the NAACP New Bedford Branch Monthly General Body Meeting Zoom Meeting Information https://umassd.zoom.us/j/93683418794 Meeting ID: 936 8341 8794 (646) 876-9923 Access: 936 8341 8794 Agenda Includes: National Convention Updates Delegate Nominations 2020 Branch Election Process For more information please contact NAACP New Bedford Branch at president@naacpnewbedford.org

Police

Public invited to comment on NBPD Use of Force Policies

The Mayor's Commission on Police Use of Force Policies has announced a public meeting on August 26th, from 6-7:30pm, to be conducted over Zoom. Members of the Public are invited to participate online to comment on the New Bedford Police Department's Use of Force policies. For any questions or difficulty accessing the policies in the links below, submit your recommendations to NBPDInfoHub@newbedfordpd.com via email. Policies Review the three policies being reviewed: Use of Deadly Force Use of Less-Lethal Force General Order Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/92954033788?pwd=TUVkSkhaRldRQUJrMG5Bam8rdUtoUT09 Meeting ID: 929 5403 3788 Passcode: 872199 Dial-in: (646) 558-8656

Police

New Bedford Human Relations Commission Survey on Policing

The New Bedford Human Relations Commission is asking the public to share their candid responses to a questionnaire on experiences with the New Bedford Police Department. (English Survey) (Spanish Survey) (Portuguese Survey) The New Bedford Human Relations Commission is a 9 member board appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. Its’ purpose is to promote acceptance and respect of all citizens of the City and to ensure equal opportunity and adherence to Mass General Laws on discrimination: Sec. 2-133- Powers and Duties. It shall study and investigate individual or community problems of limited opportunity, prejudice, discrimination, segregation,...

NAACP MV Zoom Panel on proposed Police Accountability Legislation

The Martha’s Vineyard Branch of the NAACP invites you to attend a Zoom Panel on proposed Massachusetts legislation, “An Act to Reform Police Standards and Shift Resources to Build a More Equitable, Fair and Just Commonwealth That Values Black Lives and Communities of Color,” to be held on Monday, August 17, 2020, from 6:30PM to 8:00 PM. The panelists are as follows: Beverly Williams, Co-Chair of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization LaSella Hall, Ph.D., NAACP New England Area Conference Youth and College Advisor President of the New Bedford Branch of the NAACP Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond, Pastor Bethel AME...

NAACP

New Crisis Magazine digital edition

The Crisis Magazine July 2020 digital edition has been published. African Americans are dealing with two deadly pandemics — the underlying condition of racism and the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The worldwide protests in support of the Movement for Black Lives also underscored the disproportionate impact of the Coronavirus on the Black community. The NAACP's message was clear: We Are Done Dying. The new digital issue features interactive videos and includes stories on the worldwide protests for Black Lives. We feature NEXTGEN graduates Leslie Redmond and James "Major" Woodall on the Publisher's Page. Their leadership in this moment in time in our...

New Bedford to honor life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis

A FIERCE AND TIRELESS LEADER WHO DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO FIGHTING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AND EQUALITY. Wednesday, August 5, 2020 6:00-7:00PM City Hall Plaza, 133 William Street The City of New Bedford will honor the life and legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis, the noted civil rights advocate and longtime member of Congress who died on July 17, having dedicated his life to the fight for equality and justice. The Human Relations Commission has organized a memorial celebration remembering John Lewis, to be held Wednesday, August 5 at 6:00 p.m. The event will be held outdoors in front of...

Forum on Statewide legislation and the Dartmouth Mascot

On Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 7:00pm the NAACP New Bedford Branch, The New Bedford Immigrant Support Network, local organizations, and community members met via Zoom for a discussion and forum on MA Statewide Legislation and the Dartmouth H.S. Indian mascot. Joining the discussion were: Jean-Luc Pierite, President, Board of Directors, North American Indian Center of Boston; Laurel Davis-Delano, an expert on the damage mascots do to Native children; and Shannon Jenkins, of the Dartmouth School Committee. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8fn3QvcZeI

Massachusetts House Police Accountability Bill Fails Black Lives and the Commonwealth

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: LaSella L. Hall, Ph.D.: (404) 422-2543 Date: July 13, 2020 -- 8:30 a.m. president@naacpnewbedford.org Massachusetts House Police Accountability Bill Fails Black Lives and the Commonwealth NEW BEDFORD -- "The Massachusetts House of Representatives took a reasonably thoughtful Senate reform bill and removed the crucial aspects for police accountability," said Dr. LaSella L. Hall, President of the NAACP New Bedford Branch. He continued, "H.4860, the House version of the bill passed by the Senate, is a disappointment that can only be salvaged with numerous amendments and, in its present version, clearly does not value highly the Black lives and communities of color...