Chapter News
MEDIA ADVISORY – “A Call to Conscience” PRESS CONFERENCE – 2PM TODAY
—Oct 28, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE“A Call to Conscience”PRESS CONFERENCETODAYTUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 20212:00 PMBETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 224 N. MARTIN LUTHER KING, BOULEVARDJACKSONVILLE – The Local chapters of the National Action Network, The Urban League, The NAACP and ministers are holding “A Call to Conscience” press conference today, Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at 2:00 PM, at the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 224 North Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, in Tallahassee, FL.The local organizations will issue “A Call to Conscience” to denounce:· The Florida Surgeon General’s blatant disrespect for an elected state senator by not willing to wear a mask when asked· To express our continuous displeasure with the actions of the Governor and the Commissioner of Education to go so low to take duly elected school board members salaries and health care benefits· To question why there is a need for a special legislative session to trump the power of elected officials and businesses to do what they think is in the best health interests of their constituents and employees and customersStatement from Reverend Dr. RB Holmes, Jr. President of the Tallahassee Chapter of the National Action Network and Pastor of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church“The decision by the new Florida Surgeon General to not wear a mask when requested by senator Tina Polsky was repugnant, reprehensible, and regretful. He should apologize to her and the people of Florida. The Surgeon General may have impeccable credentials, but this action is a lack of common sense, common courtesy and confusion. We must encourage the state senate to not rush to approve a Surgeon General who has a history of being anti-science and anti vaccines. Furthermore, it is deplorable and disgraceful for the governor and Commissioner of Education to consistently hold the salaries of our elected school board members locally and statewide, who have been duly elected to protect and promote the health and safety of our teachers, students and parents.It is ungodly to take away people’s health insurance and retirement benefits. I did ask in a letter a few months ago for the federal government to stand up against this punitive action of the leadership of the state of Florida. It is so encouraging that this deadly COVID-19 virus is prayerfully on the decline, but we can’t afford to become irresponsible in our behavior. Some of our leadership across this state may be finished with COVID-19, but this disease is still infecting and killing our most vulnerable populations.”Statement from Attorney Na’im Akbar, President of the Tallahassee Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P.Health and education are key components for any community to survive. The Governor and his new hire clearly lack concern for this community. This is further exemplified by the Governor’s office taking money away from our school system while at the same time rejecting money from the federal government. As in most situations, the black community will be affected the most by these unconscionable tactics.Statement from Darryl Jones, Vice President, Leon County School Board“The aggressions of the Governor are an assault against the great experiment we call American Democracy. His hostility and petulance can no longer go unchecked—all Floridians should take offense to the Governor’s bullying.”-10-Jacksonville and Florida MediaCONTACTSREVEREND DR. RB HOLMES850.545.7427DR. LINDA FORTENBERRY504-606-8050