National Urban League Convenes Black Mayors and Legacy Civil Rights Leaders for Fireside Discussion on the State of Emergency on Civil and Human Rights
National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial leads fireside chats featuring Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, as well as legacy civil rights leaders Rev. Al Sharpton of National Action Network and Melanie Campbell of National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
The event will feature remarks from members of the Biden Administration including U.S. Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su, U.S. Department of Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Ademeyo, , U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke, and civil and human rights leader Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League
HOUSTON, TX (July 26, 2023) – On the second day of the National Urban League’s Conference, President and CEO Marc H. Morial opened the day with remarks from members of the Biden Administration and civil and human rights leaders, followed by two fireside chats featuring four Black Mayors from the nation’s largest cities and leaders from legacy civil rights organizations to discuss and raise the alarm on the explosive growth of far-right domestic extremism, the sinister attack on democracy, and our nation’s educational system.
The first fireside chat will feature Rev. Al Sharpton, President and Founder of the National Action Network and Melanie Campbell, President & CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation; Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable; and the second will feature Black Mayors from the four largest cities in the U.S.: Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City, Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles, California, and Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago, Illinois.
“As a civil rights organization dedicated to economic and social justice, we recognize that this moment in history must be met with action,” said Morial. “As the deteriorating crisis of democracy continues to overtake the country, the need for federal legislative intervention could not be more urgent. The fragility of our democracy has been more exposed than it has been before and these cynical efforts to preserve political power at all costs are a threat that need to be challenged directly and undeniably. The conversations had here today are a first step to help us meet this moment with the energy it rightfully deserves.”
“This comes after the Supreme Court handed down a list of recent and unpopular decision to overturn the use of affirmative action in the college admission process, state officials throughout the country enacting measures that censor the examination of racism and race; including Florida Governor DeSantis’ latest attempt to rewrite the state’s guidelines for teaching American history in its school districts, and women’s reproductive freedoms are under constant attack.
“Our country is at a crossroads and must be met with the unequivocal and necessary determination to confront an unprecedented backlash to racial justice in education, employment, and political representation. The National Urban League remains dedicated to ensuring we do so.”
The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its 92 local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people annually nationwide. Visit www.nul.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @NatUrbanLeague.