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Thursday, July 17, 2008, 10:27 AM
Two local couples attend NAACP convention in Ohio By Janet Conner-Knox | Daily Times Staff Writer Four delegates from the Wilson Chapter of the NAACP went to Cincinnati, Ohio, this week for the 99th national convention of the historic organization. The convention began Saturday. "Power, Justice, Freedom, Vote" is the theme for this year's annual gathering of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. George Leach, of the executive committee of Wilson NAACP, said the Wilson group is there to network with other NAACP branches. "We've learned that we are doing some things right, there in Wilson," Leach said Wednesday afternoon. "And we are learning what we need to grow as an organization. We will have a lot to share with our membership when we get back." Leach is joined on this trip by his wife, Ethel, and Frank Jones and his wife, county commissioner Bobbie Jones. Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain spoke at the convention. Democratic hopeful Obama talked to the group Tuesday. Republican candidate McCain addressed the group Wednesday morning. "Obama was inspirational," Leach said. "He was complimentary to the NAACP, and he applauded the work we do all over the country." "McCain's speech was good, too," Leach said. "He was very complimentary to the NAACP and has watched and agreed with the work done by us. He told us that America had to change, and the civil rights movement was a necessary movement for this country." Leach said that Obama and McCain talked about how the NAACP helped to make progress for race relations. He also said they both talked about the changes that are still needed in this country. Leach said that during the week he has attended a number of workshops that tackled some of the projects each local group will be expected to work on when they return to their respective cities. Some of the topics addressed were the housing crisis, schools districts that he said are trying to re-segregate, and the disparities in the criminal justice system. "There is a big emphasis on the justice system in this country at this convention," said Leach. "We have learned that all over the country young people are having problems with the use of unnecessary force by police and law officials." Leach said the group believes the judicial system is broken from the police who charge young African-American males at a disproportionate rate, the power the district attorneys have who try the cases in court, to the judges that pass sentence. "It is a topic that we as the NAACP must address," Leach said. "It has always been our tradition (of the NAACP) to talk about and do something about the injustices of society, just like the both the candidates for president pointed out." With all the workshops and national agenda being focused on, the NAACP is excited about next year's convention and Leach said officials are planning a centennial celebration coming up next year. "I am already excited about our 100th birthday," Leach said. "And the plans are to go back to where the NAACP was born for that celebration -- New York City." "This has been an awesome experience," he said. "I don't want to miss one minute of it. And I can't wait to get back home to get started on the agenda set for us as a local group." Ohio Tourism Division said that economically this convention has been great for the city of Cincinnati. The convention is expected to generate up to $10 million for the city through hotels room, meals, tips and other tourism related activities. Today is the last day of the convention. janet@wilsontimes.com | 265-7847
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