The NAACP Virginia State Conference expresses its outrage regarding reports that the Trump administration’s Justice Department pressured the University of Virginia (UVA) President James Ryan to resign. This alarming development raises serious concerns about political interference in our educational institutions and the very principles of justice that they are meant to uphold.
President Ryan, known for his commitment to enhancing diversity on campus and fostering community engagement, should not face political coercion for championing inclusive policies. The Justice Department is tasked with protecting all individuals, regardless of race, background, or beliefs. Justice should not mean Just-US; it must serve all of society.
Rev. Cozy Bailey, President, stated, “This unprecedented attack on President Ryan underscores a troubling trend where political interests undermine our fundamental values of diversity and inclusion. We stand firmly against any effort to dismantle the progress we have fought so hard to achieve. The future of our institutions depends on their ability to embrace and promote diversity, not retreat from it.”
The NAACP Virginia State Conference calls on all stakeholders to stand in solidarity against these pressures and to protect the essential values that promote equity and justice within our educational systems.
