Friends,

The bigoted comments of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling that came to light last week were deeply hurtful. That the Los Angeles branch of the NAACP had been planning to give an award to a man with a history of hateful remarks is simply inexcusable.

Last night, I accepted Leon Jenkins’ resignation from his position as President of the Los Angeles branch. This was the first of many steps we as an organization are taking to address this issue. The NAACP remains actively engaged in a review of the Los Angeles branch. We will determine the shortcomings that enabled Donald Sterling to receive or be considered for any awards. We will prevent this from happening again.

We recognize the need for all our units to have the resources to serve their communities, but we must not allow that need to compromise our founding principles. We must determine what Donald Sterling donated to the NAACP Los Angeles branch—in order for it to be returned.

I know you may be angry, frustrated, and confused. We will be making changes, and I hope our commitment to addressing this issue helps us move forward, so we can remain focused on the critical issues facing so many of our communities.

Millions still face unprecedented attacks on their rights to vote. Our families too often feel the terror of gun violence. The number of children with access to a quality education is shrinking, while economic inequality and instances of racial profiling are on the rise.

The success of our mission requires vigilance on many important issues at once, even as we strive to improve our organization at every level.

I look forward to working with you on both fronts this year and beyond.

Thank you,

Lorraine C. Miller
Interim President and CEO
NAACP

P.S. We commend the NBA for banning Donald Sterling for life, and commencing the process for a forced sale of his team. Write a message of thanks to Commissioner Silver, and we’ll deliver your note when we meet to discuss the issue of racism in professional sports.

In the aftermath of in-custody deaths, authorities rely on each other’s conclusions — even when those conclusions are flawed — ensuring no one is held accountable when prisoners die.

Go to section.

Read more from Journal Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/gov-scott-walker-expected-to-sign-police-custody-bill-b99253819z1-256342301.html#ixzz30fCMuZ9B
Follow us: @JournalSentinel on Twitter

We did it! Wisconsin passed AB409 into law last week. Thanks to your help, officers involved in fatalities will now be investigated by someone from a department outside of their own.

Wisconsin’s largest newspaper covers part of the story here. http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/gov-scott-walker-expected-to-sign-police-custody-bill-b99253819z1-256342301.html

Please pass this news along and if you live outside of Wisconsin, please forward it to your state’s legislators.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Family photo

Michael Edward Bell is shown in this family photo with his brother Carson, 5. Michael was killed by Kenosha police in 2004. Carson is now 15.

Read more from Journal Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/gov-scott-walker-expected-to-sign-police-custody-bill-b99253819z1-256342301.html#ixzz30fCAAPrW
Follow us: @JournalSentinel on Twitter

CALL INVITATION
May 6: The White House & UCS Discuss Climate

You are invited to participate in a conference call directly following the release of the National Climate Assessment (NCA) on Tuesday, May 6. The Union of Concerned Scientists will team up with The White House and lead NCA authors to provide an overview of this important climate change report on the day of the release.

The White House & UCS Discuss Climate
Date: Tuesday, May 6
Time: 5:00 p.m. EDT

Produced on a regular basis by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the NCA provides a comprehensive assessment of the current understanding of climate change science. Join us to hear directly from authors of the report and the White House on the key findings, policy solutions, and ask questions.

Featured speakers:
• Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel—UCS senior climate scientist
• Dr. Richard Somerville—University of California San Diego, convening lead author
• Dr. David Yates—University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, convening lead author
• Dr. Kenneth Kunkel—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, convening lead author
• Dr. David Breshears—University of Arizona, convening lead author
• Senior White House official

Register for the conference call today!

Sincerely,

Jackie Weidman
National Field Organizer
Climate & Energy Program
Union of Concerned Scientists