New post from the NAACP: NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, Releases Statement on Georgia Senate Debate by Marc Banks

“Tonight, we saw Rev. Raphael Warnock and Senator Kelly Loeffler make their case to the voters of Georgia on how they will address the myriad issues facing our country and why they should represent Georgians in the U.S. Senate. The topics from tonight’s debate including health care, wages, police reform and COVID-19 relief, laid bare why it is imperative to elect leaders capable of taking substantive action to address the issues of importance to the Black community. In a state where nearly 32 percent of its residents are Black, their priorities must be top of mind for whoever will represent Georgians in Washington, DC.

“The balance of the power in the U.S. Senate will be decided by the people of Georgia. Despite the unprecedented, unethical, and unfounded attacks on the election results in Georgia last month, we know that there are forces that are actively trying to depress voter turnout and disenfranchise Black voters. We cannot allow those forces to win. Everything we are fighting for, from criminal justice reform and health care to COVID-19 economic relief, is on the ballot this January. That is why we are urging Black Georgians to come back out in record numbers in this runoff election and vote because not only do their voices matter, but they have the power to move America in the right direction.

“Make no mistake; whoever controls the Senate will help determine the direction of our country. We need to safeguard our civil rights, and the judges that are confirmed by the U.S. Senate will play an integral role in determining the makeup of the federal judiciary. As the economic condition worsens and millions face food and housing insecurity, we need senators who will pass legislation to help our community and not hurt it. Between now and election day, the NAACP is continuing its efforts to educate, engage, and mobilize Black voters in Georgia. There is too much at stake in this election, and we must make our voices heard.

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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.

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.

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.

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