NAACP Providence Branch Leadership Facing Protest From Members

Monday, May 22, 2017

GoLocalProv News Team and Kate Nagle

 

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NAACP Providence Branch President Jim Vincent

Members of the NAACP Providence Branch, including NAACP Youth Division Chair Pilar McCloud, are protesting the leadership of the current executive committee - led by President Jim Vincent - while regional leadership is responding to the allegations. 

On Saturday, the NAACP Providence Branch held its Freedom Fund Breakfast at the Providence Marriott, while protesters stood outside -- and issued a statement on their allegations, which was released by NAACP member Noel Frias. 

"We wish for everyone to understand that [the] protest was in no way an act of resistance towards the NAACP. Every single individual who participated in this protest has the highest respect for the NAACP Providence Branch, NAACP New England Area Conference, NAACP District 2, NAACP Youth & College Division, & the National Office of the NAACP.

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This protest was orchestrated as an act of public resistance towards the executive board members, specifically our President, Jim Vincent. President Vincent has deceived branch members and has consistently violated our branch’s national by-laws.There’s a clear unwillingness to follow the rules and regulations set out by the branch, a lack of ethics and an unwillingness to support, and assist, the branch’s future leaders."

According to their statement, McCloud also embarked on a hunger strike.

Allegations

The statement by the protesters alleged the following reasons for their protest:

• Our President, and other executive board members, deliberately ignoring the By-Laws of the NAACP and lying to the branch about his membership status.
• The lack of support that is show by the President in regards to youth initiatives.
• The lack of guidance being provided to the current generation by current leaders.
• The lack of ethics, transparency and accountability in regards to the executive branch, their actions and financials.
• The unwillingness to incorporate young people and provide their ideas with a [fair] consideration.

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Pilar McCloud. Photo: GoLocalProv

When asked for comment, Vincent referred all questions to Juan Cofield, the President of the NAACP New England Area Council. 

"What I will say in my understanding, and with regard to the protest -- the issues that have been raised are an internal matter," said Cofield. "There is a well-known process for addressing internal matters that a member might have with the branch and the operations of the branch." 

"That process was not followed. The protest was outside of NAACP procedures -- I have not received any concerns that have been raised going through the process," said Cofield. "I am reaching out to [the protesters] however to see if the issues raised can be addressed."

Frias noted on Sunday that McCloud was continuing with the hunger strike.

"Pilar's on hour 42. She's a little light headed but she's hanging in," said Frias at 8 p.m. on Sunday. 

"Juan and the New England council is aware of all of this. He's actually the one who revealed to us that Jim Vincent hasn't been paying his dues. And the inconsistencies of his membership dues," said Frias. "Juan has reached out to us and we're planning to meet with him."

 

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