ful July 20, 2000 murder of Arthur “J.R.” Warren, an African-American, gay West Virginia resident, Hilary Shelton as well as Warren’s parents and a coalition of civil rights groups, met with U.S. Justice Department officials in Washington, D.C. Shelton spoke in strong favor of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which suggests stronger penalties for persons who willfully injure anyone because of his or her race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation. As of now, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act is in serious jeopardy of being eliminated from the final version of the Department of Defense Appropriations bill. The local NAACP branch in West Virginia continues to monitor the case as well as work with the Warren family. The hearings for the two teenagers accused of the murder are not scheduled until late November and early December 2000 (Hilary).The NAACP educates the public on issues such as voter empowerment, health, labor, minority-owned housing, youth and college, and economic development, as well as others. The Association informs citizens through town hall meetings, conventions and conferences, special meetings, and newsletters on issues relevant to the minority community. Because of the NAACP’s voter empowerment efforts, history was made in Morgan City, Louisiana with the Morgan City Get out the Vote (GOTV) Project. During local elections on October 7, 2000, 80% of all registered black America voters in Morgan City made their voices heard. William Bradford, Jr. became the first African-American elected official since reconstruction (McBride). On September 12, 2000, in Selma, Alabama, the NAACP held its breath and waited to find out if its efforts would override the efforts of whites in the city to stop black Americans from voting in that day’s special election that pitted black businessman James Perkins against Mayor Joe Smitherman, a former segregationist who had played a rol...
