NAACP won’t invite President Trump to National Convention in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C – The NAACP will bring its national convention to Charlotte in July. The eight day event is expected to bring thousands of people to the Queen City, but one notable guest will be missing. President Donald Trump isn’t invited to the convention.

The NAACP typically invites all presidents regardless of political affiliation, but they will break their longstanding traditional of inviting the sitting president. Presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, both attended despite criticism from the organization.

Leon Russell, NAACP Chairman says President Trump has demonstrated he is against the organization’s mission of advancing civil rights.

“As we’ve looked at the first five months of this administration’s tenure. That is not what we see. We do not see a voice or a policy development program that is consistent with the vision and mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,” Russell said. “We see public policy being implemented in a way that promotes cruelty, that promotes division, that’s not consistent with our vision and mission.”

In recent months, the NAACP has filed multiple lawsuits against the Trump Administration.

“Our very democracy is at risk. Our civil rights are threatened. We think about the fact that that women’s health care is threatened…healthcare in general. The social safety net is threatened by the budget that has been put forward,” Russell said.

Organizers say the convention will put the Queen City front and center for important discussions.

“We’re multiracial. We’re inviting all parts of the community to come and discuss the issues of the day with us,” Russell said. “You don’t have to agree with us, but we do invite you to come be a part of understanding what we see as the urgent issues of the day, and hearing some of the solutions that we hope to put forward.”

The NAACP Convention will be here from July 9th to 16th. There will be policy discussions, forums, luncheons and more. Leaders are also hosting a HUB that includes a regional career fair to help people find work.