PORTSMOUTH NAACP, BRANCH 2070
MEMBERSHIP MEETING, March 2, 2015
1 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE, PEASE INTERNATIONAL TRADEPORT
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m., with a welcome by President Fred Ross and an
invocation by Chaplain Irving Heughan.
16 members were in attendance.
Secretary’s Report
There were no minutes from February, since that meeting was cancelled because of inclement
weather.
The minutes of the January 5 meeting were read and accepted.
President’s Report
David Watters has proposed that the Branch meet occasionally in Durham, citing the interest of
many in that area.
The NEAC Hall of Fame event will take place on April 11, 2015.
Fundraising:
President Fred Ross may appoint members to the planning committee for the Fundraising
Dinner/Dance.
Legal Redress
Nina Jordan sent a report via e-mail with the following updates:
 Two complainants have requested NAACP presence in court. Bob McElwain attended
one court appearance. Ginny Towler has offered to meet with and advise a second
complainant who is due in court next month.

Randy Kezar and Khomani Shortte attended a SPIRIT program at Rochester Middle and
High School. SPIRIT is a Department of Justice program under Community Resource
Services. It is hope that our Branch will be a resource for the Rochester school district as
they proceed with SPIRIT throughout the spring.

Nina attended a Black Lives Matter event at the Malcolm X Library in San Diego. It was
very well attended by a diverse group of people of all ages. The phrase “All Lives
Matter” was addressed. Nina noted that although all lives matter, deleting the word
“Black” ignores the ongoing reality of the Black lives that have been killed by law
enforcement. Black on Black crime was also addressed in the context of our American
history of racial oppression and the socioeconomic dynamics of our culture. The speaker
was asked, “How can allies help the cause?” She made a point of cautioning White
people to step aside, listen, share resources, and NOT to speak for Black people.
Political Action
Co-Chair Phyllis Killam-Abell said that the Department of Justice has conducted an investigation
into the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and will soon release a report of its
findings. The DOJ found that years of racial bias and animosity have preceded the shooting,
with police practices and tactics having a disparate effect on African-Americans that, leading to a
mounting sense of frustration and anger. The report will force Ferguson officials to either
negotiate a settlement with the Justice Department or face being sued by it on civil rights
charges.
New Business
NEAC is organizing an 8 day relay from the State House in Concord, N.H. to the State House on
Beacon Hill in Boston and on to the State House in Providence, R.I. The purpose of the relay
will be to direct attention to needed substantive changes to address disparities in the criminal
justice system and in law enforcement policies and procedures. Additionally, NEAC aims to
channel the current energy and enthusiasm for action following the recent police killings across
the country, by mobilizing for legislative and regulatory changes both at the state and local
levels.
Sandi Clark encouraged members to enter the Seacoast African-American Pictorial Postmark
Contest sponsored by SAACC.
Respectfully submitted,
Frances Elsemore
Secretary