The Lowndes County NAACP will host “Promises Unmet,” a discussion about the criminal justice system, on Thursday evening at the Columbus Municipal Complex.
The meeting will include one-on-one meetings with individuals looking to expunge certain violations from their criminal records, according to LaVonne Harris, the president of the local NAACP chapter.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday.
The discussion will focus on “New Jim Crow,” mass incarceration and the “War on Drugs,” according to Harris.
The event is co-sponsored by the Lowndes County NAACP chapter, state Rep. Kabir Karriem (D-Columbus), the state House of Representatives and the Oktibbeha County NAACP chapter.
Harris said last year the event drew about 200 individuals.
“It’s just something that needed to be done,” she said. “A lot of people think that when you have three things on your record you can not go out and vote, and it’s hard for them to get jobs…we see what we can take off and help (them) to make a clean slate.”
Those looking to participate in the criminal record expungement portion of the event must bring a copy of their sentencing order.
“We’ll have the paperwork for them to fill out and everything,” Harris said, adding that often people believe they can’t vote because of charges on their record when “nine times out of 10, it’s not true.”
Harris said they’ll also have voter registration forms on site, and can discuss any potential obstacles individuals might have before the upcoming presidential elections, including their availability in assisting with a ride if anyone does not have transportation.
Harris said the chapter has recently been meeting with local leaders regarding the high amount of shootings lately, as well as the Ricky Ball case – and is getting ready to host its annual “Soul Food Tea” — proceeds of which go to scholarships for children.
Sam Luvisi is news editor and covers education for The Dispatch.
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