July 15, 2010 - Sacramento - Bishop Ron Allen, President and CEO of the International Faith Based Coalition (IFBC) and Reverend Anthony Evans of the National Black Church Initiative are announcing the alliance of the two organizations, bringing together more than 39,000 churches in support of safe, healthy, drug free communities by denouncing the legalization of marijuana in California.
The purpose of this new partnership is to unify people of color and to inform the citizens of California -- and the United States -- that the legalization of marijuana would devastate the minority communities. That is why the IFBC and the NBCI soundly reject the position of the president of the California Chapter of the NAACP in her misguided support of Proposition 19, the proposition to legalize marijuana in California.
Bishop Ron Allen says, “Alice Huffman, president of the California NAACP, is partnering with the Drug Policy Alliance, whose mission is to promote drug legalization in California and throughout the U.S. Huffman has given the NAACP a black eye by supporting this dangerous organization.”
Bishop Allen agrees with Rev. Evans’ statement: “Ms. Alice Huffman has once again overlooked the needs of the black community in favor of white organizations that support the NAACP. Previously, Ms. Huffman defended the tobacco industry whose deadly products negatively impact African-American youth and the community as a whole. She should be removed from her post.” IFBC agrees with the NBCI in designating her as enemy #1 to the black churches in California.
A non-partisan field poll conducted between June 22nd and July 5th by Field Poll in California, 1005 likely voters shows that minorities across the board are against legalizing marijuana. Among African Americans, 52% are against, while 40% are in favor; in the Latino community, 60% are opposed, while only 38% support it, and in the Asian community, 62 % are opposed, while only 33% are in support.
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July 6, 2010 – Sacramento – Bishop Ron Allen is joined by faith based and community leaders as well law enforcement in opposition to the California NAACP position on the legalization of marijuana. The Press Conference will be held at the following location:
Date: July 7, 2010
Time: 10:00am
Location: Sacramento State Capitol, West Steps
Speakers will include:
