NAACP won't try to stop city elections

By By Ben Alexander/The Meridian Star
April 22, 2001
Local NAACP officials have decided not to seek legal action that could have halted upcoming municipal elections in Meridian.
After getting a glimpse of early Census 2000 data, which showed that Meridian has a black majority, Clark threatened a lawsuit if the Justice Department did not postpone the municipal elections. The local civil rights leader wanted to wait until city-wide redistricting could take place later this year.
Preliminary census data showed the number of whites making up Meridian's total population dropped by slightly more than 10 percent since 1990, while the city's African-American population rose by almost 9 percent, creating a majority black population for the city.
Clark and other black leaders felt initially the change in demographics could have been large enough to protest the election because African-Americans may not be proportionately represented in city wards.
But after closer examination, Clark said the changes aren't significant enough to warrant a possible lawsuit.
Party primaries will proceed as scheduled on May 1. The general election will be on June 5.
Ben Alexander is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3226, or e-mail him at alexander@themeridianstar.com.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x