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| Julian Bond at the N.A.A.C.P.’s annual convention in 2007. Credit Paul Sancya/Associated Press |
The NAACP, New England Area Conference mourns the passing of
JULIAN BOND
Mr. Bond passed away yesterday, Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the age of 75. He is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NAACP, serving for 12 years in that capacity. He served with distinction, marked by both vigor and calm respected leadership. He remained on the Board after stepping down as its chairman in 2010. Mr. Bond’s entire adult life had been regarded as a giant in the fight for equal rights and human rights. Beginning in college, he led student protest to desegregate public facilities while a student at Morehouse College.. He was one of the student leaders who formed the Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee (SNCC). He stood in ardent opposition to the Vietnam War and participated in many opposition demonstrations throughout the country.
He served in the Georgia Legislature for 20 years, 6 in the senate and 12 in the house. However, when originally elected, the house refused to seat him because of his opposition to the Vietnam War. He filed suit and the Supreme Court unanimously ordered that he be seated, saying that the legislature had denied him freedom of speech.
He became a founder, along with Morris Dees, of the Southern Poverty Law Center. He was its president from 1971 to 1979 and remained on its board of directors.
Julian bonds leadership, guidance and direction will be missed by the NACP, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the civil rights and human rights movements.