Early voting in Georgia began yesterday and @NAACP_LDF is committed to protecting our democracy! Last week our fantastic organizing team and #BlackVotersontheRise were on location in the #ATL historic west end providing resources to information to community members.
“By eliminating AP African American Studies in the 2024-25 school year, the S.C. Department of Education deprives many students from participating in quality coursework and earning college credit.” - LDF Assistant Counsel Patricia Okonta.
https://t.co/RVgkhi06Pl
Today, @NAACP_LDF in coalition w/ SC civil rights orgs sent a letter to the Superintendent of the South Carolina Dept of Ed denouncing its decision, citing the importance of fostering inclusive education for all students. Check out our letter here: https://t.co/Og9yZBbQiq
In California, Black defendants can be nearly nine times more likely than all others to get a death sentence, while Latinos are more than six times as likely.
As @NAACP_LDF's Patricia Okonta told me, "The urgency was undeniable" to challenge the system.
The @NAACP_LDF has created a new webpage explaining the recent systemic challenge to California's death penalty: CHALLENGING CALIFORNIA'S DEATH PENALTY SYSTEM. Confronting Racial Bias in Capital Punishment Sentencing Schemes. https://t.co/uAMquIi2Ph @DPFocus@SmartJusticeCA@ACLU
"Capital punishment has roots in slavery, lynchings and white vigilantism ... maintaining these violent remnants of racial subordination is unconscionable and has no place in modern society.” – Patricia Okonta, Assistant Counsel
https://t.co/OSV7KOfwal
Today, LDF & a consortium of civil rights orgs filed an extraordinary writ petition in the Supreme Court of California challenging the state’s death penalty statute as racially discriminatory and unconstitutional under the Equal Protection guarantees.
https://t.co/iGZuqmDHUX
"Race-based hair restrictions in dress and grooming codes, like provisions barring locs, braids, afros, or other culturally significant styles, unfairly target Black, Indigenous, and other students of color for expressing pride in their heritage."
https://t.co/gGgmM1b9jJ
LDF sent a letter to a Philadelphia private school, Cedar Grove Christian Academy, expressing concern regarding its uniform code, which expressly prohibits certain culturally significant hairstyles like locs and afros.
https://t.co/qZO6KsSnTJ
The CROWN Act bars discrimination and targeting against culturally protective styles.
LDF Assistant Counsel Patricia Okonta believes that detailed guidance on the Act will ensure that schools understand the scope and spirit of the law.
Our statement: https://t.co/gGgmM1b9jJ
Tuned in to @survivorcbs for the first time ever to cheer on our girl @KaturahTopps and I LOVED IT! What other prime time reality competition shows am I missing out on? I’m late to the game! @AmazingRaceCBS? @CBSBigBrother?
"This legislation will have a tremendous effect in Texas as countless individuals will be able to better access employment, housing, and educational opportunities.”
- Patricia Okonta, LDF Assistant Counsel on the passage of the CROWN Act in Texas
https://t.co/M6oAfLEH74
The tenacity and strength of our clients (who were minors when they stood up for their rights) is truly remarkable. We support #CROWNAct legislation as an additional tool in closing the gap in anti-discrimination policy.
It’s official! Texas governor signs CROWN Act vindicating our clients De’Andre Arnold and Kaden Bradford who were discriminated against for wearing a beautiful crown of locs. We are grateful to them and our fellow advocates. https://t.co/u7gYXLFaWB https://t.co/TiT8w1M3kZ