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Virginia NAACP Launches Campaign to End Qualified Immunity In Virginia

  • Press Release

RICHMOND – Tonight, the Virginia NAACP announced a renewed commitment to finally ending qualified immunity for law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. After investigating multiple officer-involved incidents over the past five months, the Virginia NAACP has had enough and is demanding real change.

“We watched with horror the so-called traffic stop in Windsor,” said Virginia NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr., referring to the now widely-circulated video clip of Caron Nazario, a Black Army second lieutenant who was pulled over in Windsor, Virginia. Despite being in uniform, Nazario immediately had guns drawn towards him by two town police officers.

In the clip, Nazario is frightened, stating that he is “honestly afraid to get out.” The officer then responds: “Yeah, you should be.” President Barnette reacted: “The fact that an officer who is supposed to ‘protect and serve’ felt embolden enough to state this is the root of the problem. This isn’t the first officer we have seen without fear of consequences for their actions.”

The issue of improving interactions between Black Virginians and law enforcement has been at the forefront of the Virginia NAACP’s advocacy and policy agenda this year. Just last week, the Virginia NAACP announced a renewed effort to find ways to ensure justice and transparency in officer-involved shootings.

In the wake of this recent incident, the Virginia NAACP hopes Virginia officials will use this as an opportunity to make real change. “While we applaud the immediate reactions of Virginia’s government officials, we believe that now is the time for Governor Ralph Northam to call a special session of the Virginia General Assembly to pass House Bill 2045 sponsored by Delegate Jeff Bourne to finally end qualified immunity,” said Virginia NAACP Executive Director Da’Quan Marcell Love. He went on to say: “The Virginia NAACP strongly believes that the Commonwealth must end qualified immunity NOW. Black Virginians can’t wait until next January.”

Expressing a renewed sense of urgency, the Virginia NAACP has issued a call to its more than 100 local units to begin fundraising immediately to support this advocacy campaign’s lobbying efforts. A campaign website has been launched at http://endqiva.org to accept individual contributions.

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ABOUT THE NAACP VIRGINIA STATE CONFERENCE

Chartered in 1935, the NAACP Virginia State Conference is the largest and most influential nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For 90 years, it has led the fight for racial justice, equity, and civic engagement across the state, overseeing more than 100 active branches, youth councils, and college chapters. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and the Virginia General Assembly, our members work to build the social and political power needed to end race-based discrimination.

As the leading voice for Black Virginians, the NAACP Virginia State Conference advocates for policies and programs that expand opportunity, protect civil rights, and uplift communities of color. Rooted in racial equity and civic engagement, we are committed to a Virginia without racism—where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

Learn more about our legacy and ongoing work at www.naacpva.org.

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Join the NAACP Virginia State Conference in sustaining the fight for freedom. For 90 years, we have been at the forefront of building political power, advancing racial justice, and ensuring the well-being of communities of color across the Commonwealth. With more than 100 active branches, youth councils, and college chapters, we empower our communities to make democracy work for them.

Your donation helps us continue our mission to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality for all, and to eliminate racial hatred and discrimination. Together, we can build a Virginia rooted in equity, opportunity, and thriving communities.

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