On February 25th, 2023, Benjamin Crump received the Social Justice Impact Award at the 54th Annual NAACP Awards for his tireless efforts in protecting the rights of people on the federal, state, and local levels. His work as a civil rights attorney has made him a vital voice in advocating for justice for families who have lost loved ones as a result of police violence. In this article, we will explore his advocacy and activism that led to this significant achievement.
Advocacy for Civil Rights:
Benjamin Crump has been a long-time advocate for civil rights, lending his voice to represent those who had no means of representation. His work on behalf of Trayvon Martin’s family, an unarmed Miami teen who was shot and killed in a conflict with George Zimmerman, gained international attention and placed him squarely at the center of the modern civil rights movement. Crump continued to represent several other families in similar fashion, including those of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Mo.; Eric Garner in New York; Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla., Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky.; and George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Championing Justice:
Crump founded Ben Crump Law PLLC in 2017 to continue his mission to champion the cause of justice for unarmed people who were injured or killed as a result of their interactions with law enforcement. His most recent high-profile client was the family of Tyre Nichols, who died after being severely beaten by a group of officers in Memphis.
Social Justice Institute:
As the founder and director of the nonprofit Ben Crump Social Justice Institute, based in suburban Minneapolis, he aims to create opportunities for all voices to be heard by ensuring the fair application of laws and the promotion of protecting individual rights.
The Fight for Black History:
During his acceptance speech, Crump remarked on the attempts to block the uncensored teaching of Black history in Florida, where his practice is located, and where he has gotten involved in the fight and has threatened to sue Governor Ron DeSantis over his policy regarding the teaching of AP African American history courses. Crump stated that he would continue to fight in the court of law, in the court of public opinion, and now that they are trying to ban celebrated Black authors in AP African American studies, we must advocate for our children and our culture in the classrooms and demand that they acknowledge that the teaching of Black history matters!
The Social Justice Impact Award:
The NAACP Social Impact Award recognizes people who impact civil and social justice. Crump follows journalist Nikole Hannah Jones, who won in 2022, and politician and voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams, who won in 2021. This award recognizes the tireless work of people who fight for justice and equality for all. Crump pledged to keep up the fight that so many historical figures have fought before him and urged everyone to fight for their children’s future.
