The Providence Branch of the NAACP has submitted a letter to the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who just last week heard more than 12 hours of testimony on a bill extending the freedom to marry to all loving couples. The letter calls on Senators to pass the bill and send it to the Senate floor, its final hurdle before it moves to Governor Chafee's desk.
The letter, from Providence Branch President James Vincent, articulates the NAACP's long-standing support for marriage equality:
"The NAACP Providence Branch supports marriage equality as a continuation of the NAACP’s historic commitment to equal protection under the law.
"The NAACP‘s support for marriage equality is deeply rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and equal protection for all people."
The NAACP's endorsement continues the organization's long-standing commitment to equal protection. According to the letter, "In recent years, the NAACP has taken public positions against state and federal efforts to ban the rights and privileges for LGBT citizens, including strong opposition to Proposition 8 in California, the Defense of Marriage Act, and most recently, North Carolina’s Amendment 1 which changed the state constitution’s to prohibit same sex marriage."
This critical support from the NAACP continues building on our campaign's growing momentum. Across the Ocean State, fair-minded Rhode Islanders are uniting to win marriage this year. Democrats and Republicans, faith leaders and business executives, lawmakers and everyday citizens.
We've secured passage in the House (with overwhelming approval), and Governor Chafee has promised to sign the bill when it reaches his desk. Our biggest challenge is in the Senate, where grassroots supporters and coalition partners are making incredible progress.
Help us keep building on this momentum. Send a message to your Senator now.
