NAACP - National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

06/09/2026 | Press release | Archived content

NAACP Responds to Karmelo Anthony Case

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 9, 2026


WASHINGTON - Following the verdict in the trial of Karmelo Anthony, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson issued the following statement:


"Karmelo Anthony's trial is the latest in a long line of cases where the fair treatment of Black Americans by the justice system has been called into question.

"Qualified Black people were not allowed to serve on the jury, and there were other irregularities that could imply bias in this case. Justice is not defined solely by a verdict - it is defined by whether the process is fair, impartial, and worthy of public trust.

"When Black defendants face unequal outcomes compared to other similar situations, it causes the public to lose trust in whether our justice system is truly fair, a feeling that many in our community have felt many times over.

"We will continue to fight to ensure an equal justice system under the law and push for reforms to make sure everyone is treated fairly."

The NAACP and the Collin County NAACP Branch remain committed to advocating for equal justice under the law, greater transparency in our judicial processes, and reforms that strengthen public trust in the justice system. The statement issued by the Collin County NAACP Branch is available here.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund - also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

NAACP - National Association for the Advancement of Colored People published this content on June 09, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 17, 2026 at 19:13 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]