Judge blocks NAACP suspension of chapter

Kim Smith

Friday, Oct. 5, 2001 | 9:50 a.m.

A Clark County judge has rescinded the decision of the NAACP to suspend Branch No. 1111's charter.

Gene Collins and Chester Richardson, two former officials of the NAACP, filed a lawsuit in District Court in May alleging that the national organization suspended the branch's charter and removed its officers without prior notice, without the benefit of a full hearing and without presenting evidence in late April.

The men claimed that the national board had said in early April it was sending three national board members to Las Vegas, but said they were only there to gather evidence.

On Thursday, District Judge Sally Loehrer ruled on Collins' and Richardson's request to stop the national board from enforcing the suspension.

Loehrer ruled that the local chapter had not been given proper notice of the suspension. As a result, she reinstated the charter until Oct. 20, when the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will play host to its next general meeting. The possible suspension will be discussed then.

The judge also ordered the national NAACP to give the local group proper notice of the meeting and an agenda.