Anti-War Groups Challenge NAACP on Why They Have Military Recruiters at Their National Convention, New York City July 14-16

Rally & Press Conference: Tuesday July 14 11:30 am
Sidewalk Protest: Thursday July 16 9:30 am-12:00 noon while President Obama Speaks

Outside The New York Hilton 1335 6th Avenue NYC

As part of its 100th anniversary convention opening Saturday in New York City, the NAACP jobs fair will include Army recruiters. The Army Strong tour lists the NAACP convention on its itinerary. The NAACP jobs fair opens at noon on Tuesday, July 14.

Iliana Correa, a New York City high school student, active in protesting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wrote to Benjamin Jealous, CEO of the NAACP a few weeks ago, “It is unacceptable that the NAACP, which has historically played such an important role in the struggle for racial equality and human rights, would encourage Black youth to join the military which will turn them into war criminals and cannon fodder for these racist unjust wars.”

Today, July 8, a letter signed by historian Howard Zinn, Gold Star mother and anti-war leader Cindy Sheehan, and hundreds of others is being sent to the NAACP Board and CEO:

“We call on you to dissociate the 2009 NAACP National Convention from hosting or supporting the Army Strong national recruiting tour. The Army Strong tour schedule lists county fairs, malls and sporting events as part of the military’s $5 billion recruiting effort to increase the size of the US military.

It’s bad enough that military recruiters, through the No Child Left Behind law have virtually unlimited access to students in public high schools, roaming the halls and lunchrooms, and the corners after schools. But it’s completely unacceptable and shocking that your organization, identified for many decades with fighting for the civil rights of oppressed people, is participating in the expansion of a military machine involved in two illegitimate occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and associated with torture and abuse of detainees in Bagram and mass civilian deaths.

The NAACP took historic action and real risks to create a movement to stop lynching in the United States. It fought in the courts for basic rights of the people. It’s fighting for justice for Troy Davis and to stop his execution. Why is it willingly providing the military access to youth and students at this important annual event?

Bring your convention policies in line with social justice and don’t offer up more fodder for these unjust wars. Dis-invite the Army Strong tour and the US Navy recruiters.”

World Can’t Wait is organizing the protest.