Reprinted from theJerseyTomatoPress.com

MONTCLAIR, DC AND BOSTON NAACP CALLS FOR LAMBORN’S REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

Montclair NAACP Joins D.C. and Boston Branch to Demand Resignation of Congressman Lamborn

Congressman calls President a 'Tar Baby', according to NAACP

The DC NAACP Branch, Montclair NAACP, and Boston NAACP collectively condemn Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO) for calling President Obama a “tar baby” in an interview on a Denver radio station about the heated debt ceiling debate. The highly conservative representative issued a statement of apology last week, but NAACP Branches on the east coast are not as willing to excuse racially charged words from a member of Congress.

Akosua Tyus, President of DC NAACP Branch said he should resign immediately.

“Representative Doug Lamborn (R-CO) should be removed from office based on the racist comment used to describe his working relationship with President Barack Obama during our nation’s time of financial crisis," he noted. "Never in our nation’s history has an elected official showed such blatant disrespect for the Commander and Chief of our nation. Regardless of the message he intended to relay, Lamborn should understand that he is held to a higher standard in society as an elected official. His poor judgment and lack of professionalism is a national reflection of our country."

A statement released from the NAACP DC Branch said the organization will not accept an apology that continues to "establish a toxic precedent of racism in our country. This level of racism is an infectious disease that trickles from the top and flows down throughout our communities as an acceptable practice. His racially charged words toward President Obama are an unacceptable behavior that continues to undermine the constitution to all American citizens.”

Thomas L. Reynolds, President of Montclair NAACP in New Jersey, added “The Montclair NAACP is abhorrently opposed to Congressmen Doug Lamborn's blatant racism."

He went on to explain how dangerous comments like this one are to the well being of all Americans.

"That type of comment is the type of comment one would have expected during the time of slavery, when it was widely accepted that African-Americans were property and were marginalized based on the color of their skin," said Reynolds. "It is unfortunate, that in 2011, that anyone in this country who understand the tremendous contributions that African-American in government and politics should make a statement that racist. It is unsettling and outrageous that anyone would make a public statement that is so racist about the President of the United States. Furthermore, all people should be appalled and disgusted. This congressmen should do more than apology, he should be removed from office, give up his paycheck, and be remembered as the modern day Bull Turner. There is no place for a public official, who dictates the policy of this country, to be racist.”

Michael Curry, Esq., President of Boston NAACP agreed.

"Representative Lamborn joins a growing list of federal legislators that have shown a lack of sensitivity for African Americans and little respect for our President, despite political differences. American history is filled with phrases that were transformed into derogatory terms against African Americans, and the Representative certainly knows this. Using this term in any context in relation to the nation's first black President is unacceptable," he said.

ABOUT NAACP:

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. The mission of NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic quality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.