NAACP urges athletes to boycott southern US universities over voting rights

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NAACP urges athletes to boycott southern US universities over voting rights

Published

5 hours ago

May 19, 2026

Organisation calls for Black athlete fan boycott over Supreme Court's Voting Rights Act ruling and southern redistricting.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has called on Black athletes and fans to boycott public universities in the United States’ South, in opposition to redistricting efforts that dilute Black voting power.

The so-called “Out of Bounds” campaign, launched on Tuesday, calls on Black athletes, their families, alumni and fans to “withhold athletic and financial support” from major public universities in states that “have moved to limit, weaken or erase Black voting representation”.

Those include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and South Carolina, all southern states that have redistricted or sought to redistrict in the wake of a US Supreme Court ruling gutting a key provision of the Voting Rights Act in April.

Voting rights advocates have said the ruling makes it more difficult to challenge congressional district maps that appear designed to weaken the voting power of Black and minority groups.

Black voters have historically skewed heavily Democratic, with Republican-controlled legislatures in the South leading the post-Supreme Court redistricting push.

A boycott by Black athletes would likely hurt powerhouse football and basketball programmes in the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference.

“Across the South, Black athletes have helped build some of the most profitable college athletic programs in America,” NAACP President Derrick Johnson said in a statement.

He added that “generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue, national television value, alumni donations, merchandising sales, ticket sales, and brand equity – much of it powered by Black football and basketball talent.”

“Black athletes should not be asked to generate wealth, prestige, and power for state institutions while those same states strip political power from Black communities,” Johnson said.

Several states have moved to redistrict in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, with some even pausing their primary votes to redraw maps.

Other states are expected to redistrict following this year’s midterm elections in November, which will determine control of the US House of Representatives and US Senate.

The Voting Rights Act was first passed in 1965 and sought to prohibit racist practices used in southern and some northern states to disenfranchise Black voters.

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/19/naacp-urges-athletes-to-boycott-southern-us-universities-over-voting-rights?traffic_source=rss

Related Topics:சர்வதேச செய்திகள்தமிழ் மொழிபெயர்ப்பு

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Southampton expelled from world’s most lucrative football match for spying

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Southampton out of EFL championship playoff final after spying on Middlesbrough, who face Hull for Premier League place.

Southampton have been expelled from the English Football League (EFL) Championship playoff final after admitting to spying on a training session of semifinal opponents Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough have been reinstated as a result of Tuesday’s decision and are set to face Hull at Wembley on Saturday for a place in English football’s Premier League.

The match is regarded as the most lucrative in world football, given the winner is promoted to the Premier League – the richest club competition in the global game – and receives 200 million British pounds ($268m) in extra income.

Southampton will also be docked four points next season after admitting to multiple breaches of regulations related to the “unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training” sessions, according to a statement from the EFL.

“An independent disciplinary commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship play-offs,” the EFL said.

Southampton, relegated from the Premier League last season, confirmed they would appeal the sanctions.

The EFL said the parties were working to ensure an appeal could be heard on Wednesday.

“Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture,” the EFL said.

A member of the Southampton coaching staff was caught by Middlesbrough officials recording training on his phone.

The EFL confirmed further charges had been laid against Southampton, and that the club had also admitted observing training sessions ahead of matches against Oxford and Ipswich.

The first leg ended 0-0 before Southampton progressed with a 2-1 win after extra time in the second leg.

Middlesbrough issued a statement welcoming the outcome of the disciplinary commission hearing.

“We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct,” the statement said.

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/5/19/southampton-expelled-from-worlds-most-lucrative-football-match-for-spying?traffic_source=rss

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📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.aljazeera.com/video/inside-story/2026/5/19/does-ukraine-have-the-advantage-at-the-moment?traffic_source=rss

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Norway journalist calls out Modi over avoiding media questions

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Norway journalist calls out Modi over avoiding media questions

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A Norwegian reporter asked Narendra Modi why he wouldn’t speak to the media after a press conference in Oslo on Monday. India’s prime minister has faced consistent criticism for his refusal to hold open media briefings.

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/5/19/norway-journalist-calls-out-modi-over-avoiding-media-questions?traffic_source=rss