NAACP STARTS RAPID REPORT SYSTEM TO HELP CITIZENS REPORT POLICE MISCONDUCT WITH CELL PHONES, PICTURES, AND VIDEO

NAACP HARNESSES CELL PHONE POWER TO LAUNCH NEW HIGH TECH "RAPID REPORT SYSTEM" TO HELP CITIZENS REPORT POLICE MISCONDUCT -- PART OF SWEEPING NEW CIVIL RIGHTS INITIATIVE ON CRIME AND SAFETY
PRESS AVAILABILITY WITH NAACP PRESIDENT AND CEO BENJAMIN JEALOUS

MONDAY JULY 13TH 12 NOON NY HILTON AVE. OF THE AMERICAS

An innovative national program to help fight crime in American cities and towns will be unveiled Monday, July 13th at the NAACP Centennial Convention in New York City.

The initiative includes a bold new online effort, the NAACP Rapid Report System (RRS), a quick, effective way for citizens to report instances of police misconduct, and to help public safety officials move beyond the “tough on crime” policies that have lost their effectiveness.
The Rapid Report System will be available starting July 6, through the NAACP website (www.naacp.org). The user-friendly online RRS form will allow residents to send instant texts, emails, or video reports of police abuse to the association via cell phone.

Benjamin Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP, said the initiative is part of a wider Criminal Justice strategy called "Smart and Safe,” that the NAACP will be launching during its Centennial Year.

“Nationwide, more than 26,000 citizen complaints of police officer use of force were filed with state and local law enforcement agencies in 2002. However, because many incidents are not reported, this number does not capture the full magnitude of the problem,” Jealous said.

“Research has shown that there are many barriers to reporting incidents of police misconduct, including intimidation at police departments and a lack of trust in the integrity of the system, among other reasons. This breakdown leads to an absence of public safety and a deterioration of the quality of life in many communities of color. But public safety is a civil and a human right; and so we want a more accurate count of these incidents,” Jealous said.

"We know that most of police officers around the nation are excellent public servants. But the few who violate people's rights are often not held accountable. We hope to improve the relationship between our community and law enforcement officers -- which is the best way to create the trust needed for police to effectively solve crimes," Jealous said.

The Rapid Report System will be demonstrated for attendees at the NAACP Centennial Convention July 11-16th at the New York Hilton. More information on the full Convention schedule is available at www.naacp.org.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members in the U.S. around the world advocate for civil and human rights, conducting voter mobilization campaigns, and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

Report incidents from a mobile phone here http://www.naacp.org/research/test/mobile/ »

Report incidents from a web form here http://www.naacp.org/research/test/FORMS/»

Special Investigator to Examine Reggie Clemons Case

The Missouri Supreme Court has appointed a special investigator in the case of Reggie Clemons, an African-American man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death. A petition filed with the Missouri Supreme Court on June suggests that police brutalized Clemons into giving a statement. The petition is based on new evidence, and also argues that Clemons' death sentence was excessive compared to those of other co-defendants. His execution was set for June 17, but was delayed by a federal appeals court. The NAACP has requested that Governor Jay Nixon appoint a Board of Inquiry and grant clemency to Clemons.

NAACP REQUESTS GOVERNOR JAY NIXON TO APPOINT BOARD OF INQUIRY AND SEEKS CLEMENCY TO STOP UNJUST EXECUTION

REGGIE CLEMONS SCHEDULED FOR EXECUTION JUNE 17 EVEN THOUGH TWO EYEWITNESSES FAIL
TO LINK HIM TO MURDER


NAACP National Board Member Harold Crumpton and NAACP Missouri State Conference President Mary Ratliff are requesting Governor Jay Nixon appoint a Board of Inquiry and grant clemency to Reggie Clemons who is on death row scheduled to be executed on June 17, 2009.
Clemons, 37, is an African-American man sentenced to death for the 1991 murder of two young women who drowned after plunging from the Chain of the Rocks Bridge into the Mississippi River. There was no physical evidence linking Reggie to the crime for which he received the death penalty: no fingerprints, no DNA, no hair or fiber samples. Reggie’s case is filled with many injustices, including police brutality, gross prosecutorial misconduct and ineffective defense counsel.
“Reggie Clemons was tortured by police into making a statement that was used against him at trial. But even after five hours of violent interrogation, he never confessed to murder,” stated NAACP National Board Member Harold Crumpton. “The two eyewitnesses failed to link Clemons to the murder. One of them initially confessed to the killing, and the other one got a sweetheart deal for his testimony. The other evidence was Clemons’ confession which was induced by hours of torture.” Crumpton said.
“Governor Nixon should convene a Board of Inquiry immediately and grant clemency for Reggie Clemons. More than 20% of black defendants who have been executed in the U.S. were convicted by all-white juries. Although St. Louis is more than 50 percent African American, there were only two black people on Reggie’s jury,” stated Mary Ratliff, NAACP Missouri State Conference President.
“It is wrong to put to death someone who clearly might be innocent. Our nation and our State are better than that. It is not only unjust for Reggie but for the families of the victims who deserve to have the real killers punished. Executing the innocent is a mistake that cannot be rectified,” stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous.
The Missouri State Conference of the NAACP is calling on supporters to fax (573-751-1588), send letters and emails to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and to sign a petition for clemency for Reggie Clemons at http://www.justiceforreggie.com.
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.
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Contact: Mary Ratliff, NAACP MO State Conference President 573-881-0163

NAACP CHALLENGES STATE ON CONTINUING VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS

For Immediate Release
June 6, 2009

Columbia, MO- On June 1, 2009, the Attorney General certified a report to the Governor that certain citizens' constitutional rights to be safe in their person are being violated. The 4th amendment provides that every person has a right to be safe in their person from unreasonable search and seizure.

The state of Missouri is not protecting the constitutional rights of all citizens. If you are an African-American in Missouri you are 67% more likely than a Caucasian to be stopped by law enforcement. The data indicates that the likelihood of a person of color being stopped rose for the 4th straight year.

"The NAACP has strongly supported work of law enforcement, but will no longer tolerate violations of citizens' right to be safe in their person" said Mary Ratliff, NAACP State Conference President. "The Governor and Attorney General both acknowledged that Missouri law enforcement has continued to violate our civil rights. Now, as the oldest civil rights organization in the nation, we are calling on every citizen and every NAACP member to stand up for our constitutional rights through any and all applicable administrative and legal means.

In the coming months, the NAACP state conference will present its plan of action which will include meeting with the governor, the attorney general, the chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court as well as holding seminars, community meetings & rallies for the protection of civil rights. The local branches and state conference will provide further guidance in the near future.

For additional information, contact President Mary Ratliff at (573) 881-0163

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Will the Stimulus Funding Affect You?

“What Does the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Mean to You?”


Kelvin Simmons, Commission for the Office of Administration for the State of Missouri has the answers.


Come out and hear how the State of Missouri is taking advantage of the ARRA and how your community might benefit. The presentation will give citizens an overview of the Act and explain what Missouri is doing to make the most of the opportunities being presented. All monies that flow through Missouri state government will go through some part of the Office of Administration. He has done similar presentations in St. Louis and Kansas City so that individuals will understand what is going on with their tax money. Small business owners may get some ideas on how they can be included in the opportunities that will arise from this economic stimulus funding.

Thursday, May 28th, 7 PM
Teleconference Room, Inman Page Library Lincoln University’s Campus

NAACP LENDS HAND TO THOSE IN NEED

NAACP PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO LOW INCOME, DISABLED, AND LOW VOLUME USERS OF THE JEFFERSON CITY TRASH SERVICE The Jefferson City NAACP is taking it to the streets!

As a service to the community, the NAACP is going door-to-door in various sections of the city over the next two weeks to distribute and help the Jefferson City citizenry fill out the CITY TRASH APPLICATIONS that are NOW AVAILABLE.Nimrod Chapel, Jr., said "It is the least the civic organization can do to provide a service to those who have often been over looked and forgotten after years and often decades of service to this community and the state." If your interested in helping call Rod at 816-309-5009 or e-mail jcnaacp@gmail.com

The City of Jefferson announces that it has begun accepting applications for reduced cost trash service, special needs trash service and small carts. "We feel that it might be of assistance to our seniors and disabled in actually completing the applications for a reduced fee and then turning them in to City Hall.There are three separate applications:

• GREEN APPLICATION - Discounted cost service for Low Income Households
• RED APPLICATION – Special Consideration or Physical Assistance for Disabled
• YELLOW APPLICATION – Request for Small Cart for Low Volume Users

These applications have been devised in response to citizen comments and public input over the past three months about the implementation of the universal trash program. City Administrator Steve Rasmussen has previously stated that, “there has been concern expressed for low income households, disabled, elderly and low volume users. We wanted to make sure we accommodate these concerns.” Chapel added that "We are pleased to help in this way. Too often, people think of the NAACP as a Black or minority organization, but the truth is that we are working for everyone that believes in justice, desires equality, and is willing to protect and defend liberty. And for us if it means taking out the trash, picking it up or collecting reduced fee application forms to assist our valued but often forgotten communities of seniors, the disabled, and lower income we are here and wish we could reach everyone to help."

The applications are now available at City Hall and on online at: http://www.jeffcitymo.org/trashandrecycling/trash.html. They will also be available at the Public Library, Samaritan Center, Senior Citizen Centers and the following Customer Service Centers:HyVee, Schnucks, Schultes, WalMart, Save-a lot, & Gerbes. Applications must be returned to City Hall by SUNDAY May 31, 2009. For additional information contact City Hall at (573) 634-6304.

CENTENNIAL PRAYER BREAKFAST

NAACP CENTENNIAL
PRAYER BREAKFAST

A salute to 100 years of the NAACP making CIVIL RIGHTS a REALITY for all.
Featured Speaker: Rev. Dr. CH (LTC) K. Llewellyn McGhee, D. Min, NREMT-B

April 25, 2009
8:30 AM — 10:00 AM
Scruggs University Center Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO

Tickets are $15 per person for breakfast only.

Value tickets can be purchased for $45 and will also include a one year membership.

General body meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month from 7 — 8 p.m.

To purchase tickets in advance, or for more information, please contact Nimrod Chapel at 573-230-6424, Nimrod Chapel, Jr., at 816-309-5009 or any NAACP member.
A salute to 100 years of the NAACP making CIVIL RIGHTS a REALITY for all.