North Carolina NAACP, Did Not Decline Gov pat McCrory Invitation to Meet at Today's Luncheon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,

May 15, 2014

 

Contact: Sarah Bufkin, NC NAACP - smbufkin@gmail.com or 404.285.3413

 

 

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President of the North Carolina NAACP, Did Not Decline His Invitation to Meet at Today's Luncheon 

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The NC NAACP and the Forward Together Moral Movement Still Seek a Serious Public Policy Discussion with Gov. McCrory and the General Assembly Leadership

  

DURHAM, NC - Gov. Pat McCrory and his staff are spreading false information about the invitation to a clergy luncheon that they approached Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, president of the North Carolina NAACP, with last week. Dr. Barber did not decline to meet with Gov. McCrory and has in fact been asking for a serious meeting to discuss public policy with other members of the clergy in the Forward Together Moral Movement for weeks. 

 

Dr. Barber offers the following statement in response to the reports now being pushed by the Governor's office:

 

"Several weeks ago, the NC NAACP requested a meeting with Gov. McCrory, Speaker Tillis and others before the Short Session opened. We proposed bringing representatives from most of the denominations and faiths across the state who have joined the Moral Monday Movement to discuss our positions on the policies passed last year that are injuring hundreds of thousands of our neighbors. Last week someone from the Governor's office called to ask me whether I could attend a possible luncheon he was planning. I said it might be possible if I could bring other clergy leaders from the Forward Together Movement with me. I was told the governor decided his own list.  I was also told the luncheon may or may not occur. I have not heard anything from his office since.

 

I now learn a luncheon apparently took place and that the Governor's office has apparently said I declined his invitation. The NC NAACP and our allies in the Forward Together Moral Movement are serious about wanting to meet with the Governor. Setting up a serious meeting to discuss policy is not a game. A representative cross-section of faith leaders are more than willing to engage in serious policy discussion with the Governor."  

 

 

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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. The NC Conference of NAACP Branches is 70 years old this year and is made up of over 100 Adult, Youth and College NAACP units across the state, convenes more than 160 members of the Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ) People's Assembly Coalition, and is the architect of the Moral Monday & Forward Together Movement.