Virginia NAACP Acknowledges Release of Terrence Richardson The NAACP Virginia State Conference acknowledges the release of Terrence Richardson, one of the “Waverly Two,” who spent decades wrongfully imprisoned. A federal jury found him not guilty of the murder of Waverly police officer Allen Gibson, revealing significant flaws in our justice system.Richardson and Ferrone Claiborne were initially suspected in the 1998 murder but lacked sufficient evidence against them. Each accepted a plea deal due to the threat of the...

Virginia NAACP Supports Major General Cedric Wins Contract Renewal The NAACP Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) unequivocally supports the continued service of Major General Cedric Wins as superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute. Major General Wins has provided exceptional leadership, successfully guiding VMI through unprecedented challenges over the past few years. As VMI’s first Black superintendent, he has confronted systemic racism within the institution while facing an onslaught of criticism...

Virginia NAACP Opposes Proposal to Close Voting Locations Serving Black Community in Appomattox County The NAACP Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) opposes the proposed closures of the Chap and Agee voting locations in Appomattox County. The Chap and Agee voting precincts have the county’s highest percentages of Black voters, at 36.7% and 24.4%, respectively. They also have the highest percentages of total racial minority voters in the county, at 40.27% and 27.82%, respectively. Closing these voting locations...

Virginia NAACP Responds to Senate Courts of Justice Committee’s Passage of HB2724 The NAACP Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) is pleased to announce that the Senate Courts of Justice Committee has passed HB2724, maintaining essential guardrails while excluding the expansion of license plate reader cameras. Notably, this legislation includes a re-enactment clause that allows the issue of expansion to be revisited in 2026. We urge legislators to retain this re-enactment clause to ensure that any future...

Virginia NAACP Applauds Legislators for Bipartisan Support of Automatic Restoration of Rights Amendment The NAACP Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) extends its heartfelt gratitude to the legislators who came together across party lines to support HJ2/SJ248, the Automatic Restoration of Rights Amendment. This pivotal legislation marks a significant step towards justice and equality in Virginia, and we commend the commitment of all those involved in this important initiative.Virginia NAACP President Rev. Cozy...

Virginia NAACP Denounces Attorney General Miyares’ Actions Towards Anti-DEI Policies The NAACP Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) condemns the action taken by Attorney General Jason Miyares for signing a letter urging the CEO of Costco to abandon its diversity policies. His actions are influenced by MAGA politics that threaten the progress made toward inclusivity in communities across the Commonwealth and falsely claiming the company’s DEI policies are illegal.Virginia NAACP President Rev. Cozy Bailey issued...

Virginia NAACP Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Henry L. Marsh, III Today, the Virginia NAACP celebrates the life and legacy of Henry L. Marsh, III. Virginia NAACP President Rev. Cozy Bailey shared the following statement:“When we honor our Civil Rights giants, Senator Marsh stands among them. We will continue his lifelong fight to end racial injustice in all its forms. We are grateful for his commitment to us and his guiding light.”Senator Marsh was a lifetime member of the NAACP. His legacy in founding Hill,...

Federal Judge Denies Shenandoah County’s Efforts to Dismiss Litigation Challenging Reinstatement of Discriminatory Confederate School Names Students and Virginia NAACP Members May Proceed with All Claims Against School BoardYesterday evening, a federal district court judge denied the Shenandoah County School Board’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit concerning their reinstatement of school names honoring Confederate generals.  US District Judge Michael F. Urbanski determined that, taking the facts alleged in the complaint...

Celebrating Legacy and Progress Statement of Gratitude from the Rev. Cozy Bailey, NAACP Virginia State Conference PresidentAs we commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we extend our heartfelt gratitude to President Biden for his recent decision to grant clemency to individuals whose lives have been profoundly impacted by the criminal justice system. This act embodies the spirit of justice and redemption that Dr. King championed and serves as a beacon of hope for countless others striving for a second...

Virginia NAACP Applauds President Biden’s Decision to Grant Clemency to the Waverly Two The NAACP Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) applauds President Biden’s decision to grant clemency to Ferrone Claiborne and Terrence Jerome Richardson, known as the Waverly Two. The Waverly Two were unjustly sentenced to life in prison without sufficient evidence. This long-awaited action brings a measure of justice to those who have suffered for far too long.Virginia NAACP President Rev. Cozy Bailey shared the following...