Atlanta Daily World

Protests New Orleans N.A.A.C.P. Election

NEW ORLEANS-(ANP)- Bitterly protesting what he terms "an unconstitutional election of officers," James B. LaFourche, publicity director for the Southern Regional Conference of the NAACP, sent a letter to Walter White, national secretary of the NAACP, asking that he reprimand the local branch for the "outlandish and Satanical manner in which the present incumbent officers had themselves re-elected by a hand-picked nominating committee." The election was held on Nov. 15 and the entire official staff was re-elected with only a few members present, Mr. LaFourche said.

Backing Mr. LaFourche in his claim of "foul play" are a few of the members and one or two outsiders. Objections were raised from the floor during the election, but overruled on grounds of unfairness to the officials.

Claiming that a meeting of the membership should have been called two weeks preceding the election to elect a nominating committee, Mr. LaFourche was told that a meeting was called but no one attended except the president, Dr. A. W. Brazier, and Mr. LaFourche. LaFourche claims that the entire membership was not notified of

the meeting.

In his letter to National Secretary White, LaFourche explained the process of the election together with telling the accused sorcery of the local branch.

He said that the branch had only total membership of less than 300 in a city population of more than 156,000, and this was due to the lack of public respect and confidence in the present officials.

He stated other organizations had to take the lead in civic adjustments and cases of justice because the local branch refused to heed the complaints of citizens