NAACP Condemns Lynchburg City Council’s Attempts to Suppress Early Voting for April 21, 2026 Redistricting Referendum The NAACP Virginia State Conference unequivocally denounces any efforts by Lynchburg City Council or any locality to restrict, delay, or interfere with early voting for the April 21, 2026. Redistricting Referendum Special Election in Virginia. Early voting is not a political bargaining chip; it is a lawful and essential component of Virginia’s election system, serving as a critical safeguard for our...

NAACP Virginia State Conference Mourns the Passing of King Salim Khalfani The NAACP Virginia State Conference mourns the passing of former Executive Director King Salim Khalfani. Mr. Khalfani faithfully served as Executive Director from 1998 to 2014, following his earlier leadership as Director of Branch and Field.A lifelong champion for civil rights and grassroots organizing, Mr. Khalfani began his advocacy with the Richmond Peace Education Center, working with Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. He...

NAACP Virginia State Conference Advocates for Workers’ Rights and Collective Bargaining The NAACP Virginia State Conference strongly supports the rights of Virginia’s working families to join unions and engage in collective bargaining. This fundamental freedom ensures that workers’ voices are heard.We advocate for the passage of House Bill 1263 and Senate Bill 378, which would allow public sector workers to collectively bargain. This legislation marks a significant step in dismantling remnants of slavery and Jim Crow...

Celebrating a Century of Black History and Virginia’s Legacy of Justice One hundred years ago, Dr. Carter G. Woodson—a son of Virginia—put forth a bold idea: that the nation should pause to honor the history, brilliance, and contributions of Black people. What began as Negro History Week has grown into Black History Month, a century‑long testament to our resilience and our refusal to let our stories be erased.This year, as the NAACP Virginia State Conference celebrates 90 years of advocacy, we stand at the...

NAACP Virginia State Conference Statement on ICE Detention Centers in Virginia The NAACP Virginia State Conference vehemently opposes the establishment of ICE detention centers in Virginia, particularly in Hanover and Stafford Counties.  As we have watched the terror and violence unfolding at the hands of federal law enforcement across the nation, we are horrified by the overstepping and unconstitutional actions.  These centers are not only unnecessary but could also be used to further violate human rights and...

NAACP Virginia State Conference Commends New HBCU Caucus in General Assembly The NAACP Virginia State Conference applauds the bipartisan lawmakers for establishing a new HBCU caucus in the Virginia General Assembly. This initiative will provide vital support to Virginia’s five historically Black colleges and universities, which face ongoing challenges in infrastructure and affordability.“The creation of the HBCU caucus represents a crucial step toward addressing the systemic inequities that have long impacted our...

NAACP Virginia State Conference Announces the 2026 Legislative Priorities Today, the NAACP Virginia State Conference announced its 2026 Legislative Priorities for the Virginia General Assembly 2026 regular session. The NAACP Virginia State Conference reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing justice, equity, and opportunity for all Virginians. Our legislative agenda reflects a bold and comprehensive vision—one that confronts the systemic inequities impacting our communities and champions transformative...

NAACP VIRGINIA STATE CONFERENCE, PARENTS, STUDENTS TO CHALLENGE CONFEDERATE LEGACY AT TRIAL, DECEMBER 11-19, 2025 An earlier ruling by the federal judge found that forcing High School Students to be carriers of a Confederate school name in Shenandoah County violated First Amendment.Harrisonburg, Virginia  =- Attorneys for the NAACP Virginia State Conference and five families in Shenandoah County will argue that the reinstatement of Confederate school names by the Shenandoah County School Board violated the civil...

NAACP Virginia State Conference and NAACP Chesapeake Branch Issue Statement on Racial Incident at Cork and Bull Restaurant The NAACP Virginia State Conference and NAACP Chesapeake Branch stand united in our condemnation of the discriminatory actions that took place at Cork and Bull Chophouse on November 6, 2025. The treatment of nine Black women, who were unjustly asked to leave the restaurant after a fight that did not involve them, highlights ongoing issues of racial bias and discrimination in our community.“This...

NAACP and Advancement Project Sue Virginia Over Illegal Rejection of College Student Voter Registrations The NAACP Virginia State Conference and co-counsel, Advancement Project, filed a lawsuit in the state challenging the unlawful rejection of voter registration applications from college students who live on campus. NAACP Virginia State Conference v. John O’Bannon et. al alleges that election officials across Virginia are disenfranchising eligible student voters by requiring dormitory names, room numbers, and campus...