Six NAACP members have been forced to end their sit-in of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions late Tuesday when they were arrested at his Mobile, Alabama, office. The members, including five men and one woman, began their sit-in earlier Tuesday to protest the nomination of Sessions as U.S. Attorney General under President-Elect Donald Trump.
Earlier in the day, Alabama NAACP President Benard Simelton stated that the group remained in Sessions office in Mobile and acknowledged the generosity of their supporters.
Benard again, still in Sessions office in Mobile. People have been very generous. Contrib https://t.co/s0UZ2gw1e8 pic.twitter.com/APLxZKSYS9
— Benard Simelton (@benardhs) January 3, 2017
Sessions was nominated in November under intense scrutiny due to his controversial statements such as describing organizations like the ACLU and the NAACP as “un-American” because they were “trying to force civil rights down the throats of people.” An attorney, who is black, has also said that Sessions once called him “boy.” That same lawyer further recalled how Sessions once quipped that he didn’t have a problem with the KKK “until I found out they smoked pot.”
The NAACP protestors pledged to remain in Sessions’ office until he was either no longer the U.S. Attorney nominee, or until they were arrested. Although their sit-in resulted in the latter, the members seem to have fared well overall.
Thanks to all those who have expressed support for us. Continue to pray for us, but we are doing just fine
— Benard Simelton (@benardhs) January 4, 2017
Sen. Sessions’ confirmation hearing is scheduled for January 10th. Democrats have asked for a delay because they have too much material to review.
