#JusticeForKJ Continues!

Our Valdosta State University NAACP Chapter has been working hard on the Justice for Kendrick Johnson movement and have been fighting to move more and more supporters to this heartbreaking story. Our chapter has held many interactive events, rallies, sit-ins and marches to expand the knowledge of this particular case to the masses. Just this past Wednesday, Dec. 11, there was a rally conducted on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol building in Atlanta, GA. There were plenty of influential leaders from all over the Atlanta area that spoke in front of a crowd of two hundred plus people. Martin Luther King lll, son of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., started the rally off with encouraging words for the Johnson family and citizens of their Valdosta community. "We must always remember that justice will always be served when you keep fighting for what is right," said King lll.
Some other speakers of the rally were, Morehouse College's NAACP President, Stephen Green, The Johnson's family Attorneys Chevene B. King and Benjamin Crump, BET Media Personality Jeff Johnson, Spelman College SGA President Shanteal Lake, VSU's NAACP President Alexis Bell and many more. The air was filled with so much pride for the people who came together for the Johnson family and wanted to know what steps were next in coming any closer to justice.

Another pinnacle of the movement for our chapter is the collaboration with the youth and social change organization group called Dream Defenders. The Dream Defenders are known for "training and organizing youth and students in nonviolent civil disobedience, civic engagement and direct action". A group of the defenders have been helping our chapter with an assimilation of VSU students, Kendrick's family and people from the Florida and Georgia areas to come to together for multiple sit-ins at the Lowndes County Courthouse and documentaries on the entire sequence of events.

We hold the hands and uplift the hearts of this very brave Johnson family and are continually praying for the best in a positive outcome of Kendrick's case. The rally in Atlanta was just the beginning of addressing to Georgia's Governor Nathan Deal for a point of prosecution for a further investigation of Kendrick Johnson's Death. We all want to move forward and lay to peace this entire experience and reach Justice for KJ!    

To gain anymore information on events with your VSU NAACP Chapter:
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To learn more about the Dream Defenders please visit their website at www.dreamdefenders.org

By: Morgan B. Matthews
Press and Publicity Chair
         

Dream Defenders #JusticeForKJ

VALDOSTA- Today marks the tremendous 50th Anniversary for Valdosta State University to implement integration in their school. Ms. Drewnell Thomas and Mr. Robert Pierce were the first two people of color to attend then named Valdosta State College and pioneer for many generations to come. A Heritage cookout located on Palms Quad is the official kickoff to the "Celebration of Inclusion". From Noon-2
pm today there will be various esteemed speakers to provide knowledge on their recollection of where they were at the time of this momentous event and their connection to our historical alumni. There are various events happening to celebrate this 50 year accomplishment throughout the 2013-2014 academic year. We hope to see our NAACP members, VSU faculty, staff and students attending any of the following events  to commemorate 50 years of Integration:

 A Look 50 Years Back and 50 Years Forward

Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m.
Bailey Science Center Auditorium Room 1011
Open to the public. 

Pioneer's Brunch

Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
University Center Cypress Room
Invitation Only

Political Symposium

Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Student Union Theater
Open to the public.

Social Symposium: Being a Minority at a Predominantly White Institution 

Film Presentation - Nov. 12 at Valdosta Stadium Cinemas (Students only)
Student Panel - Nov. 13 at Student Union Theater (Open to the public.)

Academic Symposium

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Student Union Theater
Open to the public.

Diversity Workshops

Feb. 6-7, 2014

A Night of Celebration

Feb. 25, 2014
Student Union Ballroom

Open to the public.

Detail of events Courtesy of Valdosta State University 50 years of Integration Webpage. (http://www.valdosta.edu/about/news/integration/events.php)

VSU's NAACP Fall 2013 Update

Greetings!

 

 We want to say Happy Wednesday and hope everyone is having a fantastic Fall Semester. Your Valdosta State University NAACP chapter just wanted to let everyone know that this year will be an absolute trailblazing year for everyone involved! We have some great events, forums, jammed packed meetings and all the important information on the civil rights action in and around our Valdosta community. We are still here fighting for justice for KJ, for the voices of all of our diverse student body and providing a haven for anyone who wants to make a positive change! In upcoming news, this Thursday, September 12, 2013, our NAACP chapter will be co-sponsoring the PreFunction Charity Talent Showcase. This spectacular event's doors will open up at 6:00pm in the Student Union Ballrooms and include support from some of the most notable VSU organizations, such as: The Black Student League (BSL), Media Arts Geniuses (M.A.G), NPHC Greek organizations, Collegiate Women of VSU and so much more! The entry fee is $1 or a canned good and proceeds will go to the VSU food pantry and L.A.M.P We hope to see a house full of Blazers ready to have fun and enjoy the show See you all there!

Stay in the know by following VSU's NAACP on Twitter @VSU_NAACP.

By: Morgan B. Matthews

Press and Publicity Chair