SLO County's Juneteenth event canceled after local NAACP president is suspended
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San Luis Obispo County's Juneteenth celebration was canceled after the president of the local NAACP was permanently banned from the organization, according to a now-deleted social media post.
The San Luis Obispo County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People posted on social media that the event, which commemorates the end of slavery each year on June 19, was canceled because of 'recent actions by the NAACP, in addition to the suspension of Ms. Cheryl Vines, the former president.'
The post was deleted from Facebook and Instagram in the late-morning on Tuesday.
It is unclear exactly when Vines became president of the organization. Tobin Johnson signed a letter as president condemning racist graffiti at San Luis Obispo City Hall in February, and a May 29 letter states Vines was secretary for the San Luis Obispo branch.
Neither Vines nor Johnson immediately responded to The Tribune's request for comment. The Tribune also reached out to the local NAACP via phone, email and social media but has not received a response.
'We recognize the importance of the SLO Juneteenth event and in the community's anticipation. However, due to these circumstances and our commitment to upholding the NAACP's values and integrity, we found it necessary to cancel the event,' the social media statement said.
The organization also posted a statement on its Instagram story that said the event Monday evening, which was scheduled for June 14, was canceled 'due to certain circumstances.'
'Just be mindful of Ms. Vines and in addition I don't want to appear I am speaking for the president and CEO, as well as for President Callender,' Instagram story said. It's unclear who made that comment on behalf of the local group.
Instagram stories automatically delete after 24 hours, but this story was still up as of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The decision to cancel the event was difficult, the organization said on the event's website.
It was scheduled to take place on June 14 in Mission Plaza, featuring musical performances, speakers, resources, a silent auction and a bake sale, as well as a gumbo cook-off and creole dinner.
Around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, after the post was deleted, the organization posted a vague statement on its Instagram story that said all events were canceled but did not say why. It also did not name Vines in the statement.
'The NAACP's mission is to secure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights for everyone. We remain steadfast in its commitment to upholding our core values and integrity,' the new post said.
Identical statements were also posted to the organization's Facebook story, which also automatically deletes after 24 hours.
The organization posted a third statement on its Instagram story with more vague language, this time not mentioning Vines at all.
According to the cease-and-desist letter sent from NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson to Vines and obtained by The Tribune, Vines' membership of the NAACP was 'suspended for life' on May 17 following a complaint made against her on Dec. 27.
The NAACP National Board of Directors held a hearing regarding an unspecified complaint on April 28 and submitted its findings to a three-person committee. The committee then made recommendations to the NAACP National Board of Directors, which made the final decision to suspend Vines' membership.
The letter directed Vines to 'immediately cease and desist from acting or holding yourself out as an NAACP member and as the San Luis Obispo County Branch secretary.'
It also ordered Vines to return all her NAACP property.
It is unclear at this time what allegations were in the complaint that led to Vine's permanent suspension.
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