NAACP Opens 3-Day Summit; Director Calls for Unified Strategy

NAACP Executive Director Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. challenged black leaders Sunday to develop a unified strategy to improve the lives of the nation’s 35 million African Americans.

Chavis urged them to “take the next step on freedom road.” He spoke at a 2 1/2-hour televised round-table discussion that opened the group’s three-day summit. Strategy will be formulated behind closed doors.

About 65 leaders in business, education, civil rights and religion participated, including Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

Farrakhan’s presence was criticized by Jewish leaders, but he said the summit’s diversity should be a challenge, not an obstacle.

“Those of us who disagree vehemently with one another will help to shape each other’s ideas, philosophies and agendas,” Farrakhan said.

About a block away from the summit, members of national Jewish groups protested. Farrakhan passed them in a caravan of dark cars.

Police reported no problems, but security was tight at NAACP headquarters, where private security guards and police stood watch along with bow-tied members of the Nation of Islam.

NAACP leaders dismissed criticism of Farrakhan’s participation, saying that no ethnic or religious group has a right to tell another group how to conduct its business.

“We should not let external controversy from letting us meet with one another,” Chavis said.

The conference, sponsored by the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, is aimed at finding ways to create jobs and improve conditions for African Americans.

One issue that could be discussed is an economic boycott of South Carolina, whose Legislature has refused to lower the Confederate battle flag atop the Statehouse.

The round-table discussion was followed by a reception. A public meeting was held Sunday evening at a Baltimore church.