Dear Mr. Brooks,
First, please allow me to congratulate you on the eve of the 2016 NAACP Annual Convention for the important contributions made by your iconic organization in the past year and throughout its long and distinguished history. The NAACP today remains one of the most important voices on Civil Rights in the American political landscape, period.
I write today because it was with great interest that I watched your interview on CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer Wednesday afternoon in which you stated, “The NAACP, representing millions of Americans, we represent an occasion for those running for president to speak to the nation’s most critical issues at a critical hour in this country.”
I cannot agree more. Furthermore, I was especially intrigued by your related comments in the same interview: “You can’t run for president and not talk about police misconduct and police brutality. You can’t run for president and not talk about this country’s civil rights agenda, so this is an important moment and our convention really will be an opportunity for anyone running for president to provide a window into not only their policies but into their heart and character as a candidate.”
Mr. Brooks, let me say for the record that as the presumptive presidential nominee for the Green Party I would more than welcome the opportunity to address the NAACP Convention in Cincinnati next week, because I agree wholeheartedly that anyone running for President of the United States of America must be prepared to address “the most critical issues” facing our nation, including our nation’s civil rights agenda, police misconduct and police brutality. At the same time, I am fully aware that the NAACP Convention attendees will also want to hear views of the major party candidates for the presidency on jobs and the economy, the environment, immigration, health care and the full range of pressing matters challenging our nation today. The best day for me is Monday, since I will be in the area that day.
Please note that I would be deeply honored to be invited to speak at this year’s NAACP Convention. While Mr. Trump may not understand the importance of having an audience with your organization, I do. I would gladly make arrangements to be in Cincinnati on Monday, July 18.
Respectfully,
Jill Stein, M.D.
Presumptive Green Party Presidential Nominee