FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 5, 2012

National NAACP announces historic partnership with majo African American Baptist conventions to increase 2012 vo participation
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BALTIMORE, MD - The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to announced a historic partnership with the major African American Baptist conventions to promote vo registration through an NAACP campaign billed as "This Is My Vote!" NAACP board members join leaders at a press conference at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.

"We are here today in the spirit of unity and common purpose to say that we will not allow our votes stolen," stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. "The NAACP and the black chu been partners in the struggle justice, equality and fairness for more than 100 years. We will work tog defend the right to vote and at the same time empower our communities to vote in all of the 2012 ele

In the last year, more than 30 states have introduced voter suppression laws that disproportionately im African American voters. This partnership will combat these attacks and ensure high voter participat coordinated registration, education, and Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts that will reach millions.

"From voter registration to voter education to voter protection, this powerful alliance will allow the A American Baptist Conventions to engage our congregations in the electoral process," stated Rev. Dr. Scruggs, National Baptist Convention President and member of the NAACP National Board of Direc attacks on voting rights emerging in state after state, we must stand together to ensure that our voices

Churches will receive voter registration training through the NAACP and conduct voter registration d the cutoff dates. Additionally, the NAACP will distribute alerts on changes in local voter laws; educa congregants on legislative matters that affect their communities; and ensure church-goers turn out to and are protected on Election Day.

The gathered Baptist leaders included Rev. Dr. Julius Scruggs, National Baptist Convention Presiden

Carroll Baltimore, President, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.; Rev. Dr. Gregory K. Mo President, Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention; and Rev. Dr. Stephen Thurston, president, Nation Convention of America. Rev. Dr. Nehemiah Davis, President, National Missionary Baptist Conventi able to attend but his group has also committed to support the civic engagement efforts.

The NAACP leaders included Rev. Dr. Amos Brown, Immediate Past Chair of the Religious Affairs on the NAACP National Board of Directors and Social Justice Chair of the National Baptist Convent as Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, member of the Religious Affairs Committee. Barber is also Chair o Political Action and Legislative Committee for the NAACP National Board of Directors.

"The NAACP has been dedicated to fighting voter suppression, and their steady work has borne fruit like Florida and Texas," stated Thurston. "We are excited to partner with them to make it easier for c around the country to participate on Election Day. Where there is unity, there is also strength."

"As we take on this righteous cause, we should be encouraged by our historical successes," stated Ba "The NAACP and the black Baptist church have a long tradition of encouraging strong voter turnout will continue that this year."

"The Baptist tradition is dedicated to promoting social justice in all our communities," stated Moss. " greater embodiment of this responsibility than the battle for full participation in the democratic proce matter what the laws are, our congregations must vote anyhow."

"Many in this country would have us go backwards rather than forward," stated Barber. "Besides the voting rights, we have seen widening economic injustice and poverty, challenges to health care, and public education along with continuing disparities in the criminal justice system. That is why we are a National Day of Voter Registration and Action on September 16th."

"For over one hundred years the NAACP and the church have partnered to combat threats to our civi said Brown. "This year we intend to redouble those efforts and ensure all Americans have the right to

"This crucial partnership will make it easier for thousands of church-goers to participate on Election Rev. Nelson Rivers III, Vice President of Stakeholder Relations with the National NAACP. "Our abi injustice rests in our souls and is manifested in our actions. This year, the most important action we c the fight for justice is to exercise our right to vote."

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, condu mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

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