NAACP NEWS
JOIN OR RENEW Membership
Greenville Membership Chair: Mary Duckett, 864-235-5785 or Email
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A lawsuit filed today in United States District Court seeks to reverse the Pickens County School Board’s decision to remove Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You from every school in the district. The lawsuit alleges that the District’s removal of Stamped is politically and racially motivated censorship that cannot be tolerated under the First Amendment.
According to the lawsuit, which was brought by three families on behalf of their minor children in Pickens County Schools and the Pickens Branch of the NAACP through their attorneys from the NAACP and the ACLU of South Carolina, Stamped was reviewed and unanimously approved for classroom and library use by separate school- and district-level review committees. Those committees — which were comprised of educators, administrators, and parents — concluded that Stamped is developmentally appropriate for high school students, that it is aligned with SC Department of Education’s English Language Arts standards, and that it should remain as a resource in classrooms, libraries, and media centers. But in September, without explanation, the Pickens County School Board rejected those conclusions and voted unanimously to remove the book entirely from district schools.
“The Board’s decision to remove Stamped was antithetical to the First Amendment and reflects a deep hostility towards America’s promise of a free and pluralistic society,” said Allen Chaney, Legal Director for the ACLU of South Carolina. “We are hopeful that the courts will vindicate the Constitution and rebuke the cresting wave of censorship we’re experiencing across South Carolina.”
“The NAACP and the Office of General Counsel are proud to stand in support of the Pickens County Branch of the NAACP and the local families advocating on behalf of their children as they fight against this unjust and unlawful censorship,” said Martina Tiku, Assistant General Counsel of the NAACP. “This lawsuit represents a continuation of their unwavering advocacy and will act as the next step in ensuring that children in Pickens County have access to an education free from such political attacks.”
“Educators and library systems are under attack through this newfound increase of support to ban culturally relevant books from our schools, curriculum, and educational institutions. The groups who are behind these book bans are discriminatively targeting books that highlight and discuss race, culture, women’s issues, and LGBTQ issues. The NAACP is actively fighting against any unjustified book bans and will continue to support teachers, libraries and other institutions who are targeted by censorship,” said NAACP State Conference President Brenda Murphy. “It has been made inherently evident that the true intent behind banning certain books is to destroy the relevance of Black history and that of historically marginalized groups. The South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP will not stand by, voiceless, allowing politicians and radical groups to erase our history or culture.”
NAACP Pickens County Branch President Shelia Crawford stated, “Black history is American history. We have a responsibility to provide our students with a complete teaching of our nation’s history – both the good and the bad. The Pickens County School Board’s decision to ban “Stamped” from the public school curriculum is a disservice to all of our students. The Pickens County Branch of the NAACP is proud to stand with the national NAACP and ACLU of South Carolina in this lawsuit to protect a curriculum that celebrates diversity, promotes equity, while furthering justice for Black America.”
The lawsuit asserts that the school board’s vote to remove the book aligns with Freedom Caucus ideology meaning it is politically motivated censorship and therefore unconstitutional. The lawsuit asks the court to declare the removal of Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You unconstitutional, allowing for its return to classrooms, libraries, media centers in Pickens County.
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About NAACP
Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
About ACLU of South Carolina
ACLU of South Carolina’s mission is to realize the promise of the United States and South Carolina Constitutions for all and expand the reach of their guarantees. ACLU of SC works in the courts to defend liberty and seek relief for its clients harmed by unjust policies, in the legislature to advocate for policy that protects or advances civil liberties, and in communities to educate and mobilize citizen activists.
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot in Memphis, Tennessee. This year marks the 55th anniversary of his assassination. King, who used nonviolent civil disobedience fighting discrimination in the United States, was 39 years old when he was killed in an act of violence.
Dr. King participated in and led marches for the right to vote, labor rights for minorities, and desegregation, using nonviolent resistance against Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation in the U.S..
Dr. King’s movement achieved important legislative advances like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin; the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting; and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, a follow-up to the Civil Rights Act which outlawed discrimination in housing. After those accomplishments, Dr King focused on opposition towards poverty, capitalism and the Vietnam War.
Today, April 4, 2023, America is still fighting legislation which is being passed to overturn the gains made by the Civil Rights Bills passed in the 60s. Why would some Americans want to overturn the gains of laws which outlaw discrimination and racism?
Well, it is true that there are still Americans who do not want a multicultural government where everyone plays an equal part in laws, economic prosperity, education, and the quality of life.
Therefore, the Greenville NAACP and other partners must continue to work for Human Rights, Civil Rights, Voting Rights, Equal Justice, Equitable Education, Equal Access to Health and Equitable Quality of Life like Dr. King. We urge everyone who desire to honor Dr. King and remember his legacy, to join us to continue to fight and work for what is right, what is true and what is guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States of America! We are blessed to have had Dr. King in our lives and pray to keep his work ongoing.
Rev. Emanuel R. Flemming, Sr., President-Greenville NAACP
As you know, Rev. Jackson has deep ties to Greenville and to the events that shaped civil rights here. Our Arthur Mondale and producer Alex Abbott traveled to Chicago recently to interview him about several things, including what happened here.
View Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoT9jgih4OU
While public service runs in Emanuel Flemming’s DNA, today he’s addressing the needs of the present. Flemming’s also prioritizing health equity, and civic engagement in schools and government.
THE VOTER, A MEMBER OF THE VOTER’S IMMEDIATE FAMILY, OR THE VOTER’S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE MAY REQUEST THE ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION.
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IS A REGISTERED VOTER WHO, WITH A VOTER’S PERMISSION, CAN REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF A VOTER WHO QUALIFIES BECAUSE OF ILLNESS OR DISABILITY.
CANDIDATES AND PAID CAMPAIGN WORKERS MAY NOT SERVE AS AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES.
THE REQUEST CAN BE MADE BY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:
· IN-PERSON: VOTER MAKES REQUEST IN-PERSON AT OUR OFFICE
· BY PHONE: CALL 864.467.7264 TO REQUEST APPLICATION
· BY MAIL: A LETTER OR NOTE WITH:
YOUR NAME / ABSENTEE HOME ADDRESS
VOTER REGISTRATION NUMBER / DATE OF BIRTH
LAST 4 OF SOCIAL / DAY TIME TELEPHONE NUMBER
REASON FOR VOTING ABSENTEE
MAIL TO:
ABSENTEE, GREENVILLE COUNTY
301 UNIVERSITY RIDGE – SUITE 1900, GREENVILLE, SC 29601
BALLOTS
· YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT BY MAIL.
· VOTE AND RETURN YOUR BALLOT TO THE COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE BY MAIL OR IN PERSON NO LATER THAN 7:00 P.M. ON ELECTION DAY OR IN PERSON AT AN EARLY VOTING CENTER DURING EARLY VOTING HOURS.
· BE SURE TO SIGN THE VOTER’S OATH AND HAVE THE RETURN ENVELOPE WITNESSED.
· PHOTO ID WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN YOUR BALLOT IN PERSON.
YOU MAY CALL THE VOTER REGISTRATION OFFICE AT 864.467.7250 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
The Greenville NAACP is proud of our Life Member, Hannah Parker, who has been elected a member of the National League of Women Voters National Nominating Committee at the National Convention. Congratulations Hannah!!!!!
CONVENTION 2022 RECAP
POWERING DEMOCRACY MILE-HIGH
Twenty South Carolina League members (attending in person or virtually) returned, energized, from the LWVUS convention in Denver. In the mile-high city, we experienced more highs than lows.
We re-elected Dr. Turner as President and elected South Carolina’s liaison to the national board Sania Irwin as Vice President and our own Hannah E. Parker as a member of the national nominating committee!
THE LIGHT OF DEMOCRACY IS DIMLY BURNING!
WE ARE ALL IN THIS WAR TOGETHER, WE MUST SAVE OUR CHILDREN, WE MUST SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY.
VOTING IS OUR LIFELINE AND NOW IS THE TIME TO WORK AND PLAN TOGETHER. FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY OF GREENVILLE. WE MUST PLAN, WE MUST REGISTER, WE MUST VOTE!
THE AGENDA HAS ALREADY BEEN SET:
· The Supreme Court makes it easier to carry handguns- MORE GUN VIOLENCE
· The Supreme Court overturns 50-years of Roe v. Wade – MORE DISCRIMINATION FOR WOMEN OF COLOR AND POOR WOMEN
· SC Legislators did not pass “Hate Crime Law” – MORE UNLAWFUL TREATMENT OF BLACKS /BROWNS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT; and the list goes on, and on for the agenda with injustice.
JOIN THE N.A.A.C.P AND OTHERS IN THE FIGHT WHILE THE PILOT LIGHT OF DEMOCRACY IS STILL BURNING.
THERE WILL BE MORE THAN ONE MEETING AND MORE THAN ONE LOCATION. Call OR email if you will host a meeting in your location – Fountain Inn, Greenville, Greer, Mauldin, Travelers Rest, or Simpsonville.
Rev. J. M. Flemming, GREENVILLE NAACP
greenvillenaacp5522@gmail.com or 864-241-8677
Overturning Roe v Wade by the Supreme Court set American Women back six (6) decades. The Court ignored years of Judicial precedent and the fundamental Civil Rights guaranteed by our Constitution. There is no denying the fact that this a direct attack on all women and Black women stand to be disproportionately impacted by the court’s shocking assault on basic human rights.
Now is the time for all of us to stand up to protect our nation from further degradation of our civil rights we have worked so hard to secure.
It is clear, at this time, that the future of our democracy hangs in the balance. This Supreme Court is turning back the hands of time, to a time of a dangerous era where basic constitutional rights only exist for a select few.
Our rights to vote are being stripped away, and now women have lost their right to their own body. What’s next? We cannot allow our future to rest in the hands of those determined to destroy and re-enslave us.
Just this week, the NAACP and Vote.org formed an alliance to register and mobilize voters in what will be the most critical midterm election America has ever faced. Wake up from your long restless night of sleeping. We need to fight back. It is Voting Time!
If you’re not registered to vote, or know someone who isn’t, now is the time. There is no time for spectators, Join the fight. VOTE!!
*National Voter Registration Day is September 20, 2022
The upcoming South Carolina election dates can be viewed HERE:
https://www.vote411.org/upcoming/63/events
Specifically, all the below offices have candidates in the primaries:
SC Attorney General
SC Commission of Agriculture
SC Secretary of State
SC US Senator
SC Superintendent of Education
SC Governor
SC US House Dist. 4
Greenville County Treasurer
Greenville County Auditor
Greenville County Probate Judge
Greenville County Solicitor Circuit 13
Greenville County Council Dist. 23
SC House Dist. 25
If you have any questions, you can call or email the Greenville County Board of Voter Registration & Elections:
Phone Number: (864)467-7250
Email: cbelangia@greenvillecounty.org
Deion Jamison, an English teacher at Legacy Early College in Greenville, is also the first public school charter teacher to earn the annual award.
Springtime in the NAACP is Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute (CRATI) season VIRTUAL!
The Medgar Evers Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute (CRATI) is an annual leadership training conference designed to empower volunteer youth and adult leaders to become more adept in carrying out the civil rights advocacy responsibilities of NAACP units. It honors the work and dedication of Field Secretary, Medgar Wiley Evers.
In 1944, Ella Baker initiated a series of regional leadership training conferences that brought unit leaders in adjoining states together with national staff members, including Thurgood Marshall and Leslie Perry to share experiences and strategies and discuss the NAACP’s legal and legislative initiatives.
Since its inception, we have expanded the scope of the Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute to address both local and national advocacy and to strengthen the infrastructure of our units.
We continue this legacy today.
The Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute will enhance advocacy by NAACP Units by:
· Getting back to basics and covering political advocacy; community organizing; coalition building; program development; use of the media; organizing educational forums and protest demonstrations; and effective use of NAACP’s advocacy networks.
· Highlighting the Civic Engagement/Campaign area and create an effective “ground strategy” to address the upcoming election season.
· Strengthen the infrastructure of the units by providing training in the following area; Executive Leadership, Advocacy, Legal Redress and Volunteer Management.
At a time when the rights of so many in our country appear to be taken under siege, it is important for the NAACP Regional Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute (CRATI) to flourish and to provide to its members and leadership, an opportunity to confront the challenges that impact us all.
WHEN WE FIGHT, WE WIN!
“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
It’s a great day to fight for Black lives, as we welcome the historic nomination of the first Black Woman to the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court.
NAACP members and supporters “Take Action”. You do not have to add wording like I did, just sign your name and submit.
Predatory Lenders prey on anyone in poverty. Capping the Rate to 36% will help and taking 6 to 8 minutes to ask legislators is not too much to ask. STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR JUSTICE!
TAKE ACTION NOTE
I believe in fair lending in SC, and I hope you will too. Did you know the devastating impact that predatory lending has had on South Carolina? It drains over $245 million per year from our economy and creates inescapable debt traps that lead to foreclosures, evictions, and repossessions. We can’t sit by while these high-cost lenders crush our citizens with absurd interest rates!
Please support capping rates at 36% in this legislative session!
I added a few sentences, here are few :
“The Greenville NAACP Branch 5522 strongly supports capping the rates. Our Civil Rights Chapter has asked legislators for over 10 years to stop predatory lending in South Carolina. … .We are your constituents and now is one of the greatest times we need you.
SAVE FAMILIES, SAVE CHILDREN, SAVE LIVES!”
The Greenville Financial Empowerment Center provides free one-on-one counseling that allows individuals and families to get personalized assistance with their finances.
We help clients to build their credit scores, increase savings, pay down debt, and take advantage of affordable banking options.
The counselor and client work together to design a plan that will best help the client meet his/her goals, such as buying a home, building an emergency fund, or breaking the paycheck to paycheck cycle. www.GreenvilleFEC.com
(864) 467-7503 301 University Ridge, Suite 1600 Greenville, SC 29601
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The Branch held a drive through tribute to Remember the Emancipation Proclamation.
Officers and Members gave out packets of information highlighting:
- Voter Education and Registration
- Info about our Greenville Legislative delegation
- Where to get COVID VACCINES AND TESTING and
- NAACP membership forms.
If your church and/or organization did not get a packet, please call the Secretary (864-905-0910) to arrange to get one.
VOTING IS THE MAJOR ISSUE OF 2022. SO, WE MUST BEGIN NOW!
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THANKS to the officers and members who helped on January 1st and to Lawson Wetli and those who saw her speaking on Zoom to Greenville County Council on December 27th about the Redistricting Map that our Branch submitted to them the 2nd week in December.
Thanks to the NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND, THE ACLU, APPLESEED, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, JOHN RUOFF and the SC CONFERENCE OF BRANCHES OF THE NAACP.
The National NAACP notified all Branches on Friday in writing, not to hold any LOCAL NAACP meetings or sponsor any events inside during this continued Pandemic. Outside sponsored events must be approved in writing, especially our protocol plan for COVID security must meet CDC GUIDELINES.
READ THE COMMUNITY JOURNAL THIS WEEK AND NEXT. SEE THE AD APPEALING FOR THE COMMUNITY TO SAVE OUR CHILDREN. DHEC INFO!
Rev. J. M. Flemming has been named to our 50 Most Influential list!
Every year, Greenville Business Magazine honors the 50 Most Influential individuals based on their impact specific to 2021 in the business, government, education, legal, economic development and non-profit sectors. They are chosen based on a nomination process and by interviews with key players in these sectors. The contributions of these individuals are important in the shaping of our community landscape now and in the future.
This select group will be featured in our January issue.
DUE TO COVID-19 SEVERE OUTBREAK – THE 39th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet of the Greenville NAACP Virtual Event was held on October 29, 2021.
This event is our major annual fundraiser.
We are still asking each member and the community supporters to donate and support our Branch our outreach programs, such as Sickle Cell Anemia Advisory, ACTSO YOUTH, COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics, Senior Feeding, etc.
September 9, 2021
Hello,
I am the Reverend J. M. Flemming, President of the Greenville NAACP and a COVID SURVIVOR.
I am asking every culture and every color, ages 12 and up to take one of the three COVID Vaccinations.
There is wrong and misleading information about COVID’s side effects and causes. This is causing unnecessary hospitalization and deaths.
There is a small fraction of people spreading false rumors that is leading people away from taking the COVID shot. Today’s news tells that one-fourth of all COVID cases are children.
This is frightening that we have allowed a few with political agendas to endanger the health and welfare of even our children.
Our schools are fragmented with arguments about wearing masks.
But we are supposed to be an enlightened and well- educated nation here in America, and none of us have a right to force or impose our political and personal views upon others.
So, we follow the facts of Science.
FACT: In South Carolina during the first round of COVID in 2020, 47% of the deaths were Black people but we only make-up 27% of the state’s population.
FACT: BUT Today, September 2021, South Carolina leads the Nation in COVID cases. Our children are a large segment of these cases.
I have only one purpose and that is to make sure that everyone is vaccinated, especially for the sake of our children.
If everyone is vaccinated, we ensure a safer and healthier community.
This is following the Science!
We followed the Science on the Black Plague,
We followed the Science on Polio,
We followed the Science on Measles,
We followed the Science on Chicken Pox,
We followed the Science on Whooping Cough,
We followed the Science on the Mumps.
America has always followed the Science!
Greenville, I am fully Vaccinated and ready to take the Booster shot.
Please Join Me! Follow the Science!
Morris College and all HBCUs Needs Your Help to urge Congress to increase funding to HBCUs in the infrastructure and reconciliation bill by $1 billion, protect that funding for HBCUs and pass the HBCUs IGNITE Excellence Act, which provides desperately needed repairs and renovations for HBCU campus buildings and research facilities across the United States.
To participate, go here: https://uncf.org/hbcuignite and click email your members. Then select, I am “A Student” and fill out the form. After that, click “Next” and scroll to the bottom of the prefilled letter and click “Send Message.” It’s that simple, act now. When you’re done, you should see a message that states, “Your voice counts.
Thank you for your advocacy and support for IGNITE HBCU Excellence.” Share with as many other students, friends, and family members as possible.
Encourage others to send a letter too on your social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TickTock, and SnapChat using the hashtag, #HBCUIgnite !
The Institutional Advancement Office
For those that are not familiar, the State of SC required students to pass an Exit Exam between 1990 and 2014 to graduate. The legislature changed the requirement several years ago.
Now students who did not receive their diploma due to the Exit Exam requirement, but did complete all other graduation requirements, are eligible to receive their high school diploma. They must contact the school district from which they would have graduated.
THIS INCLUDES THOSE WHO ARE AGES 28 TO 40 YEARS OLD WHO WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL IN SOUTH CAROLINA. GET YOUR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA BECAUSE THE COURTS STRUCK DOWN THE REQUIREMENT OF THE EXIT EXAM.
Please share. Very few people have taken advantage of this opportunity and thousands are eligible!
News https://www.ebony.com/news/at-least-1300-people-killed-after-7.2-magnitude-earthquake-hits-Haiti/
Our local member, Dr. Samuel B. Neely is the Director of Haitian Mission Project as authorized by Haitian Churches and leaders.
A virtual meeting with a committee of Haitian leaders who agreed to lead an effort under my direction to meet two goals:
1. to bring humanitarian aid by providing food and water to many families within Les Cayes. and surrounding communities.
2. to aid families in building or rebuilding their devastated homes.
Our goal is to raise $50,000. This amount will help us feed hundreds of families and aid families in building or rebuilding approximately 10 or more homes. If we receive more, we will do more. I pray that you will join us in giving and spreading the word.
Your Brother in Christ!
CRISIS MAGAZINE
On May 15, 2021, the National Board of Directors voted on the following changes for The CRISIS Magazine. The “Crisis Magazine” will not be included in membership material or as a part of the Membership package.
The CRISIS Magazine is currently available to all members for FREE.
Read The Latest Edition > End of Year Issue
Tuesday, September 28, 2021 – Federal Judge Mary Geiger Lewis ruled Tuesday that South Carolina cannot enforce budget proviso 1.108 and ban school districts from requiring masks in schools. For now, the proviso is blocked by a temporary restraining order as per the ruling.
SC NAACP units, members, and partners:
We have grown increasingly concerned about the conditions faced by the children and young people housed in our state’s Department of Juvenile Justice (“DJJ”).
There is currently a considerable amount of reporting documenting grave staffing shortages, inadequate access to healthcare and education, and alarmingly unsafe conditions in DJJ facilities.
To better respond, we need to hear from all of you about any recent experiences you, your family members, or your friends have had in or
with DJJ, either as an individual housed in a DJJ facility or a DJJ employee.
A short survey is below. Please send responses or write to:
scofficemgr@scnaacp.org, jschottenfeld@naacpnet.org or abarnes@naacpnet.org
with any responses, comments, or documentation you feel comfortable sharing.
Please do not hesitate to reach out—this issue is urgent.
DJJ SURVEY
If you or anyone you know has recently been housed in a facility operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice, would you please let us know:
1. Which facility were you / the person you know housed in?
2. Were the conditions at the facility adequate? Were there adequate facility staff?
3. Did you / the person you know feel safe in the facility? If no, why not?
4. Did you / the person you know have access to medical treatment or care? If not, what forms of care did you / the person you know need but not receive?
5. Did you / the person you know have access to educational materials and instructions? If not, what additional educational support should DJJ have provided?
6. Is there anything else about DJJ you would like to share?
If you or anyone you know was recently or is employed at a Department of Juvenile Justice facility, would you please let us know:
1. At which facility did you / the person you know work?
2. Were the conditions at the facility adequate? If not, why not?
3. Were there adequate facility staff?
4. Is there anything else about DJJ you would like to share?
SCCMA, SBA to Sign Strategic Alliance Memorandum to Help Small and Minority Businesses in South Carolina.
The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs is the official South Carolina state agency bridging the gap between ethnic minority communities. The Commission’s mission is to be a catalyst that identifies and examines emerging issues and trends by providing constructive solutions and approaches to support the policy and socio-economic development of ethnic minority communities.
For more information and Trending News, visit our website at www.cma.sc.gov
Openly carrying a firearm will be legal in South Carolina starting Aug. 15, and the State Law Enforcement Division is trying to make sure gun owners and law enforcement officers understand this upcoming change.
Gov. Henry McMaster signed the Open Carry with Training Act into law on May 17, which goes into effect Aug. 15 after a 90-day implementation period. Carrying a weapon will still require a concealed weapon permit, and valid CWP holders cannot openly carry a firearm until Aug. 15.
The new law doesn’t change who can carry a firearm, or where they can carry one. Property owners can still post signs barring the carrying of a concealable weapon by CWP holders, as can public offices. Governments can temporarily restrict the carrying of firearms at organized public gatherings as well while post signs to inform attendees of the restriction.
Voting purges are often far-reaching and highly inaccurate. They also disproportionately affect voters of color and young voters. That’s why the GOP is constantly pushing for them.
Last week Wisconsin had a voter purge delete over 205k voter registrations. President Biden won the state by just 20,000 votes. Greenville County does voter purges as well.
Now, former President Donald Trump is celebrating the purge and claiming that, somehow, this is evidence of a stolen election in 2020.
Check your Family and Church Members Voter Registration status. If someone has not voted in the last 2 0r 3 years, have them to call Greenville County Election Office at 864-467-7250 or go online at www.scvote.gov to see it for yourself.
If you have moved since the last time you voted get a new card the same way. DO NO WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE AND YOU CANNOT NOT VOTE.
SC Counts Updates, Fellowship Application, and Other Redistricting Info in SC
· The Branch will continue to have access to Pathwright (www.crowd.pathwright.com). Use Pathwright to stay fresh on information or watch sections of the academy you may have missed.
· The fellowship application is live! If you are interested in working on community organizing related to redistricting and completed a CROWD academy, please apply by June 4! https://forms.gle/purihSFMGsC8k1C67
· Please make sure you are part of the SC CROWD Academy Facebook group for ongoing information! https://www.facebook.com/groups/481141769599173
Be on the lookout for ongoing trainings and updates in June and July!
1921-2021: Celebrating 100 Years of Public Library Services
Service for All: Integration of Public Libraries in Greenville County
Integration of Public Libraries in Greenville County
Prior to September 1960, the Greenville Public Library was segregated. Two libraries were in operation at the time… Read More
Pick up your FREE COPY today at any Library System location!
Or have it mailed to your home by joining the Friends of the Greenville County Library System.
Join “Friends of the Greenville County Library System” Today!
TAKE ACTION! SUPPORT THE “FOR THE PEOPLE ACT” HELP SAVE DEMOCRACY.
At the federal level, the For the People Act (S1) strengthens voting rights and would implement important reforms for redistricting and for campaign financing. It has passed the US House and will now be addressed by the US Senate. Please contact US Senators Scott and Graham to support this bill and not to let the Senate filibuster be used as a tool to block it.
Sen. Lindsey Graham
Phone: (202) 224-5972
Email link
Sen. Tim Scott
Phone: (202) 224-6121
Email link
TELL YOUR SENATORS TO SUPPORT THE FOR THE PEOPLE ACT Black voters turned out to vote and made a huge difference in the 2020 election. And now, efforts to suppress the vote are coming fast and furious. There are over 250 bills in state legislatures across the nation trying to make it harder to vote. And these voter suppression efforts would especially impact voters from marginalized communities, including Black, low-income and young voters. We need to stop voter suppression in its tracks. We need a national law that will apply to all states to protect voting rights and fair elections. And a bill that would move us towards this goal is the For the People Act (bill S.1). This bill would make it easier to register and to vote, strengthen civil rights protections for voting, support election security, and much more. This bill already passed in the US House. Now, it is coming before the US Senate. We need the protections that the For the People Act will provide. And we need you to let your US Senators know that you want them to protect you and your voting rights by supporting the For the People Act. Contact your US Senators and ask them to pass the For the People Act!
JOIN US IN SUPPORTING LEGISLATION S.436 FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT
Please join CommunityWorks in supporting more capital for community economic development, small business, and affordable housing opportunities in South Carolina, by encouraging your elected officials to support Senate Bill S.436.
The Community Economic Development Tax Credit provides a tax credit to investors that support Community Development Corporations (CDC) and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), like CommunityWorks so we have the capital and funding we need to support under-served and under-represented businesses and communities.
Allocating the South Carolina Community Development Tax will help support the growing needs of small businesses and communities as they work to address local relief and recovery efforts resulting from the pandemic.
S.436 will allocate: $2 million (2021), $3 million (2022), $3 million (2023) for these efforts. Every “one dollar” in tax credits provided leverages “four dollars” in economic impact. Investors in the CED Tax Credit receive a 33% tax credit for all equity investments 50% tax credit for all cash donations.
Community Works leveraged over $1.3M in economic impact from these credits in 2019 to support small businesses and affordable housing developments.
Learn More About Supporting S.436 in South Carolina https://www.scaced.org/advocacy#cdtax
Drive Announces New Partnership with AFL
The Greenville Drive baseball organization announced a multi-year partnership with AFL, an international manufacturer of fiber optic cable, connectivity and equipment.
The partnership announcement, a major development for both organizations, will enhance AFL’s community visibility, marketing capabilities, and relationship development efforts, while engaging and spotlighting AFL associates, customers and key stakeholders, officials said.
As part of the partnership, AFL will be prominently featured across a wide range of Fluor Field visibility touchpoints including outfield signage, the award-winning Greenville Drive Magazine, all Drive digital owned media channels (website, social media and CRM e-blasts), as well as special features during Drive games each season.
In addition, the Drive and AFL will collaborate each Drive season on event integration opportunities aligned with AFL’s community outreach priorities (children, education and workforce) as well as hospitality events to further showcase and recognize AFL associates from the community and beyond, the officials said.
Headquartered in Spartanburg, AFL employs more than 5,200 associates worldwide with over 1,100 calling the Upstate home.
AFL has multiple facilities in the Upstate and across the United States as well as international facilities in Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia.