NAACP Files Lawsuit Against Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves Over Legislation Targeting Predominantly Black City of Jackson

The NAACP has filed a lawsuit against Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves after he signed legislation that would give state authorities more control over law enforcement in Jackson, Mississippi. The lawsuit claims that the legislation unfairly targets the predominantly Black city, and would lead to “separate and unequal policing.”

The legislation signed by Reeves creates a temporary court system outside of city control, to be run by appointed judges and prosecutors. This court system would handle cases brought to them by the Capitol Police, a once-obscure agency that has been given power to patrol certain areas of Jackson.

The NAACP is concerned that this new system will lead to citizens in Jackson being arrested by a police department led by a State-appointed official, charged by a State-appointed prosecutor, and tried by a State-appointed judge. The civil rights organization is also concerned that the Capitol Police, which shot four people last year without much public explanation, will be given more power to patrol the city.

The lawsuit, which was e-filed Friday evening in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, accuses Reeves and other state officials of unfairly singling out Jackson, a city already struggling with violent crime and an overburdened court system.

The NAACP is seeking an injunction to prevent the legislation from taking effect, and is calling on the court to declare the legislation unconstitutional. The organization is also asking for a jury trial to determine damages. It is unclear when the court will rule on the case.