Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP issued the following statement regarding the disparaging remarks President Trump recently tweeted:

“President’s Trump use of the derogatory term, ‘Thug,’ and his provocation of violence toward Black American citizens is yet another vile attempt to degrade and cause material harm to our community. Time after time, he has proven his incompetence and inability to unify this country when we are under duress. His reckless response is a deterrent and agitator to the progression of human and civil rights. The racism and anti-Black agenda that continues to permeate out of this current White House is a danger to our democracy, livelihood, and safety. Considering, the uprising that we are experiencing is sobering, yet not unexpected. As a people, we are tired of the injustices and the brutality that has disproportionately impacted our community at the hands of police officers and local elected officials. From Brunswick, Georgia to Louisville, Kentucky to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and everywhere in between, we remain resolute in our persistence and strategy to see substantive change for our people on the ground. We will stand up and fight for what is right until we bend the moral arc of the universe toward justice and liberty for all.”

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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas here.