WASHINGTON (AP) — The coalition of New York NAACP chapters had just begun its annual state convention when Letitia James, a longtime member and the state’s attorney general, canceled her appearance.
James had just been indicted by the Justice Department for alleged mortgage fraud, a charge which she called 'baseless' and 'a grave violation of our constitutional order.'
The New York convention’s organizers were alarmed, noting that the gathering, which featured sessions on building political power, had become even more significant in light of James’s situation. NAACP State Conference President L. Joy Williams stated, 'What we have to do is not only defend against what is happening now, but we have to push further past where we were before.'
The indictment sparked debate about the politicization of the justice system in relation to President Donald Trump, who has targeted James previously for her investigations into the Trump Organization. Critics, including Yvette Clark, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, argue that the charges are politically motivated. At the same time, advocates for Black women see these legal actions as symbolic of broader attacks against African American leadership.
'When you attack someone’s home, you attack their ability to own, you attack their ability to have choice,' remarked Shavon Arline-Bradley, CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, highlighting the racial wealth gap surrounding property ownership.
Legal experts describe the indictment as 'very uncommon' and raise questions about its merits, especially since mortgage fraud claims typically require evidence of tangible harm to a bank. In this case, James reportedly claimed a property would be her second home but also rented it out at times, which could be seen as reasonable.
As the NAACP conference continues, leaders express solidarity with James, emphasizing a need for support in these challenging times. Williams concluded, 'We know she’ll always come back.'
