For the first time in 116 years, the sitting president of the United States will not be invited to the NAACP National Convention NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson announced June 16.
The National Convention is July 12-16 in Charlotte.
“We’re nonpartisan and always welcome those who believe in democracy and the Constitution,” Johnson said in a statement. “But right now, it’s clear — Donald Trump is attacking our democracy and our civil rights.”
Trump and the NAACP clashed repeatedly during his first term, some of which resulted in legal fights. Trump declined to speak at the NAACP as a presidential nominee in 2016, or as president in 2017, 2018, or 2019.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields dismissed the break with tradition in a statement.
“The NAACP isn’t advancing anything but hate and division, while the President is focused on uniting our country, improving our economy, securing our borders, and establishing peace across the globe. This is the same vision for America that a record number of Black Americans supported in the resounding reelection of President Trump,” Fields said in a statement.
Break with tradition
In the statement, Johnson said Trump “believes more in the fascist playbook than in the U.S. Constitution. This playbook is radical and un-American.” He pointed to executive orders Johnson said are meant to oppress voters and undo civil rights and using the military against American citizens.
Johnson said in the statement that the convention is meant as a safe space where people can map out multi-racial advocacy that advances civil rights and democracy for all.
“To that end, the NAACP has made the decision to break with tradition and not invite Donald Trump or J.D. Vance this year. This administration does not respect the Constitution or the rule of law. It would be a waste of our time and energy to give a platform to fascism, which would be unacceptable,” he said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NAACP won’t invite Trump to convention, breaking a 116-year tradition
