Former officers of the Albany NAACP say they were unfairly kicked out
ALBANY, GA -- Former officers of the Albany NAACP say they were unfairly kicked out.
“It’s a terrible tragedy for an organization founded on eliminating bigotry, racism and differential treatment, and not to have due process,” said William Wright, former Albany Chapter President.
“They are here because the NAACP is wrong and they have spent most of their lives fighting against injustices and this is just another example,” said Maurice Luther King Jr., an Attorney representing the local officers.
The situation all comes down to money. The Albany Chapter owed the state office nearly $2,500. They didn't have it, but sent in a check for $1,000 with a letter saying if the check was cashed then it was settlement for the entire balance.
“They cashed the check, but they have not refunded the $1,000 and they are saying they are closing them for basically not paying assessments, which under Georgia law have been paid,” said King.
The local members say their removal isn't just unjust; it's unlawful, according to the NAACP’s own constitution.
“We don't think article ten supports a removal of officers for nonpayment of assessment. But what they are doing is using article ten, because it is easy to do you just remove them,” said King.
Now theses local members have a sent a letter to the national and state office calling for their reinstatement. But until then they are still on the outs.
“If they don't read it and say we are wrong, then I think they start to lose credibility. You can't go out and tell corporations ‘you need to give people due process and you're an organization and you won't give people due process,’” said King.
“It makes it difficult to go out and challenge Wal-Mart and others about discrimination when we are treated this way,” said Wright.
We made several attempts to contact both the national NAACP and the state office for this story, but they did not want to comment on the matter.