Illinois NAACP Slams Former Leader's "Savage" Immigration Comments
In response to a video involving the Democratic Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, denounced the comments as "abhorrent remarks" and hoped for an apology. He added that people should recognize that we're surrounded by immigrants nationwide.
During an October recording, Haley, the former NAACP-Chapter President of DuPage County in Illinois, expressed frustration over favorable treatment towards newcomers compared to struggling black residents. Her comments followed an initial discussion about immigration.
Haley voiced concerns like, "Black people have been around for a while, and nobody cares because they say we're drug addicts and have mental issues." But she went on to say that "these immigrants, who come here, assault people and break into homes." She even referred to them as "barbaric" and noted how they didn't speak our language or seemed to consider us crazy.
She then questioned the purpose of the NAACP, asking, "What does N-A-A-C-P stand for? What do they actually stand for?"
Haley explained her resignation after recording a conference with other branch presidents. Contacted during her vacation in Dubai, she denied making these comments to WSL. She argued that "anything is possible with AI," in response to learning about the tape.
Michael Childress, now the President of the new DuPage County Chapters, deemed Haley's comments out of context. He expressed that these remarks did not represent the NAACP's stance but added he wouldn't comment on Haley's resignation or potential termination.
CNN requested a comment from both Haley, the Illinois NAACP, and the NAACP, but no response was received as of Wednesday.
This controversy arises amidst rising immigration tensions in Chicago. Since late August 2022, over 25,700 immigrants have entered Chicago, with most arriving since May this year.
City officials have struggled to keep up with this influx since summer. Chicago has collaborated with 17 churches, becoming temporary shelters for these immigrants. On Wednesday, 575 migrants were housed in emergency areas, such as police stations and airports, while they awaited placement in temporary shelters.
Additional Insights
The Illinois NAACP and other organizations would likely condemn any controversial comments about immigrants, given their commitment to civil rights and inclusivity. The broader context of the controversy includes the political divide in Illinois and California's stance in support of civil rights and inclusive education policies.
References:
[1] PBS NewsHour. (n.d.). Target's decision to phase out diversity, equity and inclusion programs met with backlash by civil rights activists. Retrieved from
[3] The Journal Gazette. (n.d.). Opinion: Illinois has long been a battleground on immigration and racial issues. Retrieved from
[4] Sunnivge. (2022, August 10). California Attorney General Rob Bonta commits to protecting LGTBQ+ student rights. Retrieved from
