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Our weekly Newsletters will keep you up to date with what’s happening right now within Georgia and within the Georgia NAACP.
EXECUTIVE ORDER
BY THE STATE PRESIDENT:
LEADING GEORGIA IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
WHEREAS: Article I, Section 2(d) of the Bylaws for Units for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People [NAACP] vests the State Conference with the power to perform and exercise such other functions, powers, and duties that may be deemed necessary to lead all NAACP Units within the geographic boundaries of the State and to coordinate NAACP activities and policies within its jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS: Article II, Section 2(b) of the Bylaws for Units for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People [NAACP] vests the State Conference with the power to eliminate discrimination and injustice against minority people in the state;
WHEREAS: The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that as of July 15, 2020 at 2:50 p.m., there were 3,871 new confirmed cases, 37 deaths, and 417 hospitalizations today to bring the pandemic total to 127,834 confirmed cases, 3,091 deaths, and 14,102 hospitalizations; and
WHEREAS: Of those 127,834 total cases, 33,849 (27%) of them were African-American/Black while 43,566 are unknown bringing the total number of disparate cases to 77,415 (61%); and
WHEREAS: Of the 3,091 who have died in Georgia from COVID-19, 1,445 (47%) of the confirmed cases were African-American/Black despite only making up 32% of Georgia’s total population; and
WHEREAS: According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and published by the Washington Post, more than 80 percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Georgia were Black; and
WHEREAS: In consultation with medical experts and public health professionals, I have determined that the following actions are necessary and appropriate to protect all human life and to provide for the general welfare of Georgia’s residents and visitors.
NOW, THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO THE AFOREMENTIONED NAACP BYLAW, ARTICLE II, SECTION 2(B), AND THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS THE STATE PRESIDENT OF THE GEORGIA NAACP, IT IS HEREBY
ORDERED: That all members, supporters, and friends of the Georgia NAACP must wear face coverings as practicable while outside their homes or place of residence, except when eating, drinking, or exercising outdoors; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED: That all members, supporters, family and friends of the Georgia NAACP discourage gatherings within your respective communities of more than 30 people physically present and able to stand or be seated within six (6) feet of any other person; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED: That all members, supporters, family and friends of the Georgia NAACP who meet the criteria for higher risk of severe illness as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention be required to continue to Shelter-in-Place as much as humanely possible within their homes or places of residence; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED: That all members, supporters, and friends of the Georgia NAACP refuse to frequent nor support any business establishment that does not honor the recommendations for best practices during COVID by public health professionals and medical experts; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED: That all members, supporters, and friends of the Georgia NAACP refuse to frequent any business establishment that refuses to observe recommendations and best practices by public health professionals and medical experts; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED: That all members, supporters, and friends of the Georgia NAACP mandate that face coverings, masks, face shields, and/or any other Personal Protective Equipment are required to interact with others within their city/county while in places of public accommodation or on public property; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED: That all members, supporters, family and friends of the Georgia NAACP continue to use recommended practices to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to display courageous leadership during this public health pandemic; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED: That no provision of this Order shall limit, infringe, suspend, or supplant any judicial order, judgement, or decree issued pursuant to the laws or constitution of this State or the laws or constitution of the United States, nor shall any person use any provision of this Order as a defense to an action in violation of a judicial order, judgement, or decree by any court created pursuant to the laws or constitution of this State or the laws of constitution of the United States; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED: This Order does not attempt, nor shall it be construed, to imply that the State President, in any instance, has the unilateral authority to overturn any official government order, judgement, or decree; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED: The Georgia NAACP will continue to issue guidance to its members, supporters, family, and friends as needed through communication media, including social media, without need for further Executive Orders; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED: That if there are any members, supporters, family and friends of the Georgia NAACP that are in need of face coverings, masks, face shields, and/or any other Personal Protective Equipment, that they can contact the Georgia NAACP at [email protected] or 404-577-8977 to coordinate delivery or pick-up; and
IT IS FINALLY ORDERED that this Order shall be effective upon signature.
This 16th day of July 2020, at 5:13 P.M.
James Woodall
State President, Georgia NAACP
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