The Portland NAACP acknowledges harm to youth leaders and youth movement

The Portland NAACP has shared a statement recognizing past harms done to several youth leaders and the movements they represented and inviting youth to re-engage with the branch under our new leadership. The full statement:

We recognize that in recent years, the Portland NAACP had become a toxic and harmful space for youth who wanted to step up and serve their community. The events that took place during last year’s March On Portland partnership with Fridays 4 Freedom were unacceptable.

Against the youth leaders’ request, the Mayor was invited to the event for a photo-op with the former branch president. Fridays 4 Freedom speakers were pushed to the back and young people were left behind in an event that was broadcast as a success by former leadership. These actions harmed our next generation of leaders and tarnished the NAACP’s relationship with young leaders. 

As of January, the branch has elected new leadership who ran on a platform of accountability, transparency, and integrity. While we cannot apologize for actions we weren’t a part of, we certainly recognize that we still carry a harmful legacy from last year’s events. 

We want to become a branch that is powered by forward thinkers, a multigenerational powerhouse for Black Liberation with youth at the center of our decision-making. The Portland NAACP has already begun working with young people who want to hold us accountable to this, and looks to work with all young people willing to push this vision forward with us into the future.

We want to acknowledge the past harms, and move forward as a welcoming organization for youth. Their voices will be heard and we look forward to joining with them as we move forward as an organization into the future.