NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK

National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation, with chapters throughout the U.S. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, national origin, and gender.

INITIATIVES

Membership

National Action Network’s membership is open to all persons and entities who want to continue to ensure a nation that lives up to its constitutional promises. They are among the Keepers of the Dream that Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. gave his life for. These members share that commitment to civil rights and frequently mobilize to protect and prevent injustices. On October 15, 2011 thousands of NAN members rallied and marched in Washington DC to support the demand for jobs and justice and to formally dedicate the opening of the national memorial to Dr. King.

Social Justice

The Social Justice Initiative emerged from the National Action Network’s Annual Convention in April of 2006. The first ever Reverend Dr. William A. Jones’ Social Justice Award was presented to Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery, co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) with the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Reverend Al Sharpton and Reverend Dr. W. Franklin Richardson, along with other ministers, convened and resolved to further the dialogue on social justice issues and the black church. The result was the formation of the Social Justice Initiative, the purpose of which is to serve as a guide for pastors and congregations to continue and promote the black churches’ responsibility in addressing the social issues that impact the lives of black men and women.

Criminal Justice

The right to equal justice under the law should not be conditional or based upon a person’s color or economic status. NAN over the last two decades has been in the vanguard of the movement to bring such equality to every community which has been unfairly treated. Using the principles of non-violent direct action and civil disobedience NAN has helped to level the field and ensure a measure of justice for those who would abuse their status or seek to dispense justice based upon race or other illegal factors. Racial profiling and police brutality were standard practice in many communities just 20 years ago. NAN has successfully changed that paradigm by ensuring that those who violate the law are brought to justice. These efforts were on display in the events involving the police sodomy of Abner Louima; the police killings of Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell among others; and the right for equal treatment in Jena, Louisiana; a matter that lead to hearings before the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. Rev. Sharpton spent 90 days in a Federal Prison to help bring about the end of the naval bombings in the island of Veiques, Puerto Rico. Many of the anti-racial profiling laws on the books today are a direct result of NAN’s commitment to the principles and practices of Dr. King and the tradition of non-violent engagement. Through its advocacy NAN continues to impact public policy and ensure that government itself is held accountable to the law.

Decency

The Decency Initiative was created in order to reduce the racist and misogynic language that has become pervasive throughout communities of color. The Decency Initiative has already caught hold across the nation and continues to inspire people to become active participants through its positive message. The Decency Initiative promotes a message of anti-violence, self-respect and pride in heritage. It also advocates against the entertainment industry’s use of capitalizing off of denigrating lyrics to describe black culture.

Education

National Action Network and its president, Reverend Sharpton, have identified education as the civil rights issue of the 21st century. They have partnered with conservatives and liberals alike to advance the agenda of improving educational opportunities for all students and closing the achievement gap for minority and underprivileged students. In May 2009, Rev. Sharpton; Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Newt Gingrich and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg met with President Barack Obama in an Oval Office Summit on Education. Rev. Sharpton and NAN then engaged in a national tour with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and former Speaker Gingrich to promote this educational agenda. NAN held a national rally on education during the 55th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.

Anti-Violence

NAN promotes a message of anti-violence and encourages dialogue on how to address the rampant gun violence in communities of color across the nation. Reverend Sharpton and NAN have brought together leaders in government, the community and youth groups to stop the violence and foster positive change.

Voter Protection

NAN works to ensure that every vote in every community across the nation is counted. It has helped to lead the fight against voter suppression and regressive voter ID laws. In 2012, NAN will again be in the forefront of ensuring “Not This Time,” a repeat of its successful 2008 voter education and voter rights campaign.