NAACP Fight For Freedom Dinner Brings Thousands To The Table

DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit branch of the NAACP marked its 100 year anniversary at its annual Fight for Freedom Fund dinner Sunday night.

Chapter President, the Reverend Wendell Anthony, says the group has accomplished a great deal but still has more work to do to-- particularly on the emergency manager law in Michigan.

"We do not believe that Michigan should become the new Mississippi. We have come too far, worked to hard, and struggled to long - to allow democracy to decide," said Anthony.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, who championed the work of the NAACP in a press conference earlier Sunday, also took part in the dinner event.

"The agenda that is constant is the work that the NAACP does on a day-to-day basis. I am grateful to them, I am supportive of them and because of them it's going to allow me, my administration to get back in the fight and do the things that are necessary to bring our city back," said Bing.
Attorney General Eric Holder will be the keynote speaker at Sunday night's event.

Prior to the big event, WWJ spoke with Bob King, president of the United Auto Workers Union.

"The attacks on civil rights and human rights in the United States today really are outrageous and we need organizations like the NAACP, who are going to stand up and people right to vote, for every human being to be treated with dignity and respect," said King.