Latest news with #GeorgiaNAACP
The Guardian
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Georgia Republican officials to finally face election after years of legal delays
Two members of Georgia's powerful public service commission will finally face primary voters Tuesday after court challenges that threw a competing candidate off of ballots and more than two years of delays that left incumbents in office. The Georgia Public Service Commission oversees gas, electric and other utilities, setting rates and regulating power plants for Georgia Power. Each member of the five-person commission must live in the district assigned to their seat, even though voters across Georgia vote in each race. All five commissioners are Republicans, despite Georgia's close partisan divide and even though two of the districts would strongly favor Democrats if only voters in those districts chose candidates. A group of Black voters in metro Atlanta led by Richard Rose of the Georgia NAACP challenged Georgia's unusual at-large system for electing public service commissioners in 2020 under section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), arguing that at-large elections dilute Black voting power. Steven Grimberg, a US district court judge, ruled for the plaintiffs in August 2022, leading Brad Raffensperger, Georgia's secretary of state, to cancel the 2022 election for two commission seats while lawmakers and appeals courts worked through the issue. The 11th circuit court of appeals reversed the lower court's ruling in 2024. The US supreme court declined to take up the case. Had it heard the case, some voting rights advocates were concerned that an adverse ruling might have further eroded the Voting Rights Act by affirming the use of at-large districts nationwide as a broadly acceptable practice. Raffensberger also canceled the 2024 election for a third seat after the state legislature passed a bill that extended every commissioner's term by at least one year and reset the election calendar. All three commissioners have been allowed to stay in office while the convoluted legal process played out. Commissioner Tim Echols faces Lee Muns, a former member of the Columbia county board of education who helped build part of Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle nuclear plant in the late 1980s. The commission has raised electricity rates in recent years to cover cost overruns in Vogtle's construction. The winner of that contest will face Democrat Alicia Johnson of Savannah in November. Commissioner Fitz Johnson does not face primary opposition, but three Democrats are vying for their party's nomination in district three: former Atlanta city councilwoman Keisha Sean Waites, utility activist Peter Hubbard and former utility executive Robert Jones. A fourth candidate, Daniel Blackman, was removed from the ballot in a residency challenge earlier this month. Joe Biden appointed Blackman as a regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency after he narrowly lost a challenge to incumbent public service commissioner Bubba McDaniel in the supercharged January 2021 Georgia runoff election. Blackman leased a one-bedroom dwelling in Atlanta, but a Fulton county judge ruled that he provided insufficient evidence that he actually lived at the address. Blackman's wife and child reside in their Forsyth county home north of Atlanta, and Blackman did not change his voter registration from that address until a few weeks ago. Voters will find notices in polling places of Blackman's disqualification on Tuesday. Votes cast for him will not be counted, Raffensperger's office said. Though Georgia voters have increasingly opted to vote early, the off-year election and the uncertainty around Blackman's challenge to the disqualification has meant a low turnout race so far. Out of about 7.4 million active voters in Georgia, fewer than 75,000 have voted to date.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Juneteenth Atlanta Festival returns this weekend with parade, music and more
ATLANTA - As the nation reflects on more than 160 years since enslaved African Americans first celebrated Juneteenth, Atlanta is preparing to host one of the Southeast's largest and most vibrant tributes to the historic holiday. The 2025 Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival kicks off Friday, June 13, at Piedmont Park with an opening press conference at 11 a.m., featuring leaders and advocates speaking on themes of freedom, empowerment, and social justice. Scheduled speakers include Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs and festival co-founders Bob Johnson and Brad Lewis, among other prominent voices in the community. RELATED: Juneteenth events in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | 2025 Now in its second decade, Juneteenth Atlanta has grown into a major family-friendly cultural event, blending education with celebration. It was officially recognized in 2023 as the City of Atlanta's designated Juneteenth event. The festival will continue Saturday at 10 a.m., with live performances, local vendors, community booths, and the widely anticipated Juneteenth Black History Parade at noon. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms will serve as Grand Marshal of the parade, which starts at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and concludes in Piedmont Park. Spectators can expect floats, youth groups, car clubs, marching bands, and celebrity appearances—all honoring the history and legacy of June 19, 1865, the date when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom. The celebration wraps up Sunday with a Father's Day-themed slate of events and the annual Freedom 5K Walk/Run. All events are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to use MARTA for easy access to Piedmont Park. For full event details, visit
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia NAACP calls on KSU to not eliminate Black studies major
The Brief The Georgia NAACP is calling on Kennesaw State University to reverse its decision to eliminate its Black studies major. The school announced this week that it was removing three majors due to low enrollment. The NAACP called the program's elimination a "regressive and damaging decision." COBB COUNTY, Ga. - Kennesaw State University is facing criticism from the Georgia NAACP after the college eliminated its Black studies major. The school announced this week that it was removing the major along with two others - philosophy and technical communication - due to low enrollment. What we know According to KSU's website, the Black studies major "fosters an understanding of the global experiences of African, African American, and African-descended peoples with a range of intellectual tools and practical strategies for engaging race, gender, class, and culture." Students examine the Black experience and cultural and historical relations between Africans and people in the Diaspora. The program has been at the university for 20 years. In a statement to FOX 5, a spokesperson for Kennesaw State University said the university made the decision to remove the majors "in accordance with the University System of Georgia's established thresholds." "While the Black Studies, Philosophy and Technical Communication programs have all consistently fallen short in enrollment and degree output over at least the past 10 years, a two-year teach-out plan will still allow current students to complete their degrees," the statement read. "Faculty will also continue offering courses in these areas for minors, electives and general education." The Atlanta Voice reports that existing students in the majors will be able to complete their programs. What they're saying In a statement, the Georgia NAACP called the move "deeply troubling," saying it "raises urgent concerns about the institution's commitment to equity, academic integrity, and inclusive education." The group described the major as "a cornerstone of truth-telling, cultural affirmation, and intellectual exploration that serves all students" and said eliminating the program would be "a regressive and damaging decision." "This is more than a curriculum issue—this is a moral issue," said Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs. "We will not stand by while educational spaces critical to Black identity, history, and scholarship are threatened." What's next The NAACP is calling for a meeting with KSU President Kathy Schwaig and university leadership to discuss the program's elimination. It is not clear whether the university has responded to the NAACP's demands for action. The Source Information for this story came from a release by the Georgia NAACP, KSU's website, and a report by th Atlanta Voice.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NAACP condemns 'Whites only' signs used in elementary school history lesson in Rockdale County
The Brief The teacher's activity, involving "Whites Only" and "Colored Only" signs, was not approved by school officials and deviated from the submitted lesson plan. Rockdale County Public Schools stated the teacher had no discriminatory intent, but acknowledged the activity did not meet district expectations and could be hurtful. The Georgia NAACP and Rockdale County NAACP condemned the incident, questioning the intent and deeming the action unacceptable. ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. - An investigation is underway in Rockdale County after an elementary school teacher posted "Whites Only" and "Colored Only" signs on campus as part of a history lesson on civil rights activist Ruby Bridges. What we know The incident occurred during a classroom activity that had not been approved by school officials, according to statements made at a school board meeting Thursday night. District leaders said the signs were placed above water fountains and were not included in the teacher's submitted lesson plan. What they're saying "The teacher did not have any discriminatory intent and this was not a prank," a representative from Rockdale County Public Schools said during the meeting. "This activity did not align with district expectations, and we recognize that this may have been hurtful." The district's social studies coordinator confirmed that the school system offers recommended and vetted curriculum materials. "In our Studies Weekly, there is an edition that's dedicated specifically to Ruby Bridges," the coordinator said. The other side The Georgia NAACP and the Rockdale County NAACP issued a joint statement Friday morning strongly condemning the incident. "The act is offensive no matter the context," said Rockdale County NAACP President Kiiva Copeland. "And while it was stated that there was no ill intent, it does present the question of what was the intent — what feelings and outcome was expected? We find the action is unacceptable." What's next In a letter sent to parents and guardians, the school's principal reiterated that all faculty are expected to adhere to submitted and approved lesson plans. The Source This article is based on the proceedings of the Rockdale County School Board on April 25, 2025.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
NAACP releases statement on 'Whites Only' water fountain incident
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — The Georgia NAACP has released a statement regarding the 'Whites Only' water fountain incident that occurred on Wednesday at Honey Creek Elementary School in Rockdale County, Georgia. The statement read in part: 'The Georgia NAACP and The Rockdale County NAACP are appalled and heartbroken by the deeply disturbing incident at a Rockdale County school, where a water fountain was defaced with a sign reading 'White Only.' This isn't just an act of ignorance—it's a chilling echo of our nation's darkest chapters. It is a stark reminder that the legacy of segregation is not history for many—it is still a lived reality.' In a letter to parents and guardians, Honey Creek's Principal Adriene Lanier called the incident a 'social studies activity based on a historical figure in American history that was not approved.' The school lesson was reportedly about Ruby Bridges, the first African-American child to desegregate an all-white public school in the south. The Georgia and Rockdale County chapters of the NAACP say they 'stand in solidarity with every student who felt devalued, every parent who felt betrayed, and every educator who believes in justice.' The incident is still under investigation from the school district. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
