NAACP convention welcoming Obama to Philly

President Obama will travel to Philadelphia to speak to delegates at the annual NAACP convention, which begins this week. 

 

“We are honored to welcome President Obama back to our NAACP national convention,” said NAACP Chairwoman Roslyn M. Brock. “Our members are looking forward to President Obama delivering a powerful message that reinforces our commitment to being champions for civil and human rights in the 21st century.

The annual convention opens on Friday and is expected to draw 8,000 people under the banner of “Pursuing Liberty in the Face of Injustice,” said NAACP President Cornell William Brooks. 

Obama is scheduled to deliver an address to the delegates at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on July 14.

“I don’t think there is going to be a more important, more critical. more needed conversation on civil rights and social justice happening in the foreseeable future,” Brooks said. “This is going to be a major gathering, and, I believe, a historic gathering.”

Brooks added he was pleased that the president is coming to town.

“President Barack Obama, having spoken eloquently of grace to a grieving nation in a moment of crisis in Charleston, will now address the social and economic challenges of our time in the hometown of American freedom,” he said.

Improving interactions with police will be a major focus of the event that begins Friday, Brooks said.

“With respect to criminal justice reform in terms of community policing, in terms of creating trust between the community and the police,” he said .”Doing something to address and drive down community violence.”

A job fair will also offer access to dozens of high-profile employers.  Day passes are available to purchase for those who are not members of the civil rights group.