Principals From Legacy Civil Rights Organizations Meet with the Parliamentary Black Caucus In Historic First Encounter
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 25, 2023) – Today, National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial joined Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP, Melanie Campbell, President and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable, Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Shavon Arline-Bradley, President and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, and Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of the Legal Defense Fund for a joint convening with the Canadian Parliamentary Black Caucus to discuss the ways to foster civic engagement and opportunities for transborder partnerships between Canadian and American groups:
“On behalf of the National Urban League, it was our pleasure to welcome the Canadian delegation to D.C. today and engage in meaningful discussions regarding the work we do on the ground every day, and how that work can be implemented in Canada,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. “As we reflect on the three-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, a tragedy that sparked a global uprising, it is only fitting we meet with the Canadian delegation to strengthen our interpersonal relationships and pave the way for collaboration in the fight for racial justice.”
“In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,’” stated Melanie L. Campbell, President & CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable. “Unfortunately, it had to take the tragic, public murder of George Floyd three years ago to shock the entire world as to the ongoing plight of Black men, women and families in America. It was most encouraging today that we have had the opportunity to discuss and strategize with the Canadian Parliamentary Black Caucus regarding the shared challenges confronting both Black Canadians and Black Americans. As the last few years have proven, the threats to our democracy and freedoms grow more intense on both sides of the border. Only by working together can we hope to confront and defeat the global threat of racism in our lifetime.”
“The killing of George Floyd sparked a global movement and laid bare the injustices people of color across the diaspora have suffered, and still endure even today,” said Shavon Arline-Bradley, President and CEO of NCNW. “This meeting with the Parliamentary Black Caucus collectively reminds us that our struggles are not unique to just Black people in America. I am excited to continue to expand this authentic relationship and look forward to us supporting each other’s efforts to eliminate barriers to the rights Black people everywhere deserve.”
“Black Americans and Black Canadians have been tied together ever since the early 1800s when many enslaved African Americans fled north to Canada to gain their freedom,” said Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “Anti-Black racism is a global threat that knows no borders; so, we must act accordingly. Today’s meeting presented us with the opportunity to speak about the shared experiences of Black people across our shared border, learn from each other about the challenges that we face in our respective countries, and most importantly discuss effective strategies for winning the ultimate victory of true equality for Black people at home and abroad.”
“It was an honor to gather in discussion with the Canadian Parliamentary Black Caucus and fellow legacy civil rights organizations at this pivotal time for Black people’s lives, rights, and human dignity, not only in the U.S. but across the global diaspora,” said Janai S. Nelson, LDF President & Director-Counsel. “The police killing of Mr. Floyd three years ago has resonated long past the day of his death, shifting the entire world’s attention to the issue of police brutality and the poison of anti-Black racism more broadly. Today, we stand in recognition of the power we hold when we come together and champion true justice and accountability.”
“The NAACP’s principle values are rooted in fighting for the rights of all Black people. So it was with great pleasure that we joined our brothers and sisters in advocacy, the Canadian Parliamentary Black Caucus, for this historic transborder union,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “Through a unified vision of justice, we continue to advocate for equitable policies to be set in place to protect the rights of our people. The conversations held between this group of fearless leaders gives light to a bright future ahead for our people across the diaspora.”