NBAC Statement of Legal Purpose and Compliance

National Black Action Convention & Formation of The People's Party

This Convention is convened in the exercise of rights guaranteed to every person in the United States under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, the rights to peaceably assemble, to speak freely, to petition the government for redress of grievances, and to associate freely with others in pursuit of shared political goals. Delegates and organizers act lawfully, transparently, and in full accordance with federal and state law.

 Legal Basis for the Convention

The right to convene a political convention, deliberate on a legislative agenda, and organize collective political action is a core protected activity under:

• U.S. Const. amend. I — freedom of speech, assembly, and petition.

• NAACP v. Alabama, 357 U.S. 449 (1958) — recognizing a constitutionally protected right of association for advocacy organizations, including protection of membership from compelled disclosure.

• NAACP v. Button, 371 U.S. 415 (1963) — affirming that collective political and legal advocacy by and for a racial community is protected First Amendment activity, not unlawful conduct.

Ratification of a legislative agenda by delegate vote is an internal, private act of political association. It carries no force of law on its own; it becomes a public legislative proposal only through the ordinary channels of introducing bills, ballot initiatives, or advocacy directed at elected officials.

 Legal Basis for Forming a Political Party

Citizens have a constitutionally protected right to organize new political parties. This is affirmed in:

• Williams v. Rhodes, 393 U.S. 23 (1968) — striking down burdens on new and minor parties' access to the ballot as violations of equal protection and associational rights.

• Tashjian v. Republican Party of Connecticut, 479 U.S. 208 (1986) and Eu v. San Francisco County Democratic Central Committee, 489 U.S. 214 (1989) — recognizing a party's right to structure its own membership and internal governance.

A vote by convention delegates to found "The People's Party" is a lawful act of political association. Formal legal existence as a ballot-qualified party will additionally require compliance with:

• State-level party registration and ballot-access statutes (which vary by state and often require petition signatures, a state chair, and a certificate of formation);

• Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) requirements if the party or any affiliated committee raises or spends funds in connection with federal elections, including registration with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and applicable disclosure/reporting obligations;

• State corporate or unincorporated-association filing requirements, if the organization chooses to incorporate.

We will retain qualified election law counsel in each state where ballot access will be sought, as requirements differ materially by jurisdiction.

Nondiscrimination and Open Membership

The People's Party is founded through the leadership, organizing labor, and lived experience of Black Americans confronting specific, well-documented disparities in political representation. Founding a party in response to a community's particular political needs does not limit lawful membership in that party to members of that community.

Consistent with the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the party's own founding platform, membership in The People's Party is open to all United States citizens, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, or any other protected characteristic. The Party does not discriminate in membership, candidacy eligibility, or voting rights among its members.

Our platform/bylaws language: "The People's Party will be founded by Black Americans to advance a legislative agenda of equality, justice, and opportunity for all people. Membership, candidacy, and full participatory rights within the Party are open to every United States citizen who supports its platform, without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic."

Platform Commitment

The Party's founding platform affirms a commitment to equality under law for all persons, and to legislative and policy priorities developed and ratified by the Convention's delegates through open, democratic process.

Compliance Summary

Organizers affirm that:

• All Convention activities are conducted in public, lawful assembly;

• No activity conducted by the Convention or its organizers constitutes incitement, unlawful coordination, or unlawful discrimination;

• Formation of a new political party is a right afforded to all citizens under the U.S. Constitution and applicable state law;

• The Party will pursue ballot access, FEC registration (if applicable), and state filings through proper legal channels, with the assistance of licensed counsel.

NBAC - Chairwoman

Melody Angel