NAACP threatens suit against Catholic University

Washington D.C., Jun 7, 2004 / 22:00 pm

The president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has threatened to sue Catholic University of America if the group is unable to come to an agreement with the university to start a student chapter.

CUA rejected an attempt by a student, William Jawando, to start a chapter in April, saying there are already two main groups that represent black students.

NAACP president Kweisi Mfume said the university’s decision was "narrow-minded," calling it “outright discrimination and intolerance all rolled into one,” reported The Associated Press.

According to Mfume, who had gathered with about 20 activists on Catholic University campus, this is the first time in decades that a university has attempted to stop a student chapter from starting, reported AP.

The university also expressed concern about the NAACP’s support of abortion rights but university spokesperson Victor Nakas stressed that is not the main reason for rejecting the NAACP chapter.

Nakas said the university's president, the Very Rev. David M. O'Connell, hopes to meet with Mfume next week. University officials plan to meet with students interested starting a chapter in the fall.