Catholic University Stands Up to NAACP

CNSNews.com ^ | June 18, 2004 | Susan Jones

[Baby Bear]

(CNSNews.com) - Catholic University in Washington, D.C., is putting its principles ahead of the NAACP's protests.

Following a discussion with disgruntled civil rights leaders on Wednesday, Catholic University is still refusing to approve a student NAACP chapter.

School officials note that Catholic University already has two groups that defend minorities' civil rights -- but unlike the NAACP, those two groups do not support abortion.

Press reports said that Catholic University's president, the Rev. David O'Connell, will discuss the situation with students when they return to campus in the fall.

NAACP President and CEO Kweisi Mfume has threatened to sue Catholic University if the school does not recognize the student NAACP chapter. In a June 4 press release, Mfume called the school's refusal "outright discrimination, bigotry, prejudice and intolerance all rolled into one. It is at the very least a double standard based on race and social philosophy."

"He (Mfume) deeply feels that the best place to resolve this question is, in his own words, in the court of law, in the court of public opinion," the Associated Press quoted the Rev. O'Connell as saying.

Mfume says four other Catholic universities -- Georgetown, Trinity College (Washington, D.C.), St. John's and Fordham -- have NAACP college chapters.

"Our student chapters and our members are of all races," Mfume said in the June 4 press release. "The students here at Catholic University who want to organize are not Nazis, they are not thugs, they are not skinheads and they are not terrorists.

"We are prepared to bring litigation against Catholic University for violating what we believe is the right of all students in America to free association and equal protection under the law."

The NAACP, a group that supports liberal causes and Democratic candidates, advocates keeping abortion legal.

[Susannah]

Hopefully the DC Catholic Church is aware of the free legal representation of http://www.lc.org and http://www.thomasmore.org

[AAABEST]

In other words let our pro-death group in or we'll sue you. These thugs are no better than mafioso who walk into a pizza parlor demanding consessions "or else".

[NYer]

School officials note that Catholic University already has two groups that defend minorities' civil rights -- but unlike the NAACP, those two groups do not support abortion.

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[johnb2004]

" Mfume said in the June 4 press release. "The students here at Catholic University who want to organize are not Nazis, they are not thugs, they are not skinheads and they are not terrorists."

Well, if they support murder, what should they be called?

[BobCNY]

Mfume says four other Catholic universities -- Georgetown, Trinity College (Washington, D.C.), St. John's and Fordham -- have NAACP college chapters.

Interesting choice of Catholic universities by Mr. Mfume. I didn't see Steubenville or Ave Maria in the list. But then again a place like Georgetown is where a cardinal would be put down for promoting the family while applauding the views of John Kerry.

[Salvation]

**School officials note that Catholic University already has two groups that defend minorities' civil rights -- but unlike the NAACP, those two groups do not support abortion.**

A Catholic University with a backbone!

[Salvation]

**Mfume says four other Catholic universities -- Georgetown, Trinity College (Washington, D.C.), St. John's and Fordham -- have NAACP college chapters.**

Maybe we need to FReep these college/universities and ask them why an organization that supports abortion is allowed on their campuses?

[A.A. Cunningham]

Catholic U. Won't Recognize NAACP Chapter

AKA Frizzell Gray