PETITION OF DEMANDS TO REV. AL SHARPTON

Suspension of the National Action Network's HIV/AIDS Committee and Its Chair
PETITION OF DEMANDS TO Rev. Sharpton Background: On Tuesday, November 29, 2011, at a Creative Night Meeting held at the National Action Network, the Chair of the NAN HIV/AIDS Committee had made some remarks that were critical of Rev. Sharpton and some senior staff members of the National Action Network. In response to the remarks of Joseph Sellman, who serve as the Chair of the HIV Committee, Rev. Sharpton felt there was a need to suspend the NAN Committee on HIV/AIDS Awareness and later the Chair for his remarks. On January 26, 2012, the issue then went viral with an Open Letter, dated January 17, 2012 to the Hon. Theresa Freeman, the President of the NAN NYC Chapter. It was not until January 30, 2012, when NAN Press person, Rachel Noerdlinger, made her first statement that the committee wasn't suspended, but that Joseph Sellman, the committee's chair was in fact suspended for insubordination. This came as a complete surprise to members of the Executive Committee, since Rev. Sharpton himself can be seen on tape suspending the Committee. We reject all attempts by the NAN NYC Chapter President, Theresa Freeman to silence and marginalize the Chair of the HIV Committee and for the undemocratic actions she have displayed in this matter. Is there any democracy at the National Action Network? No one seems to remember when an election for the NYC Chapter and Cabinet Leadership was last held. On Wednesday, February 8, 2012, an illegal meeting was called by the Secretary of the NAN HIV/AIDS Committee, Donald Goods. It was at this meeting in which the Chair was ejected and the leadership of the NAN HIV/AIDS Committee was overthrown and highjacked by the Secretary of the Committee, Donald Goods with the tacit approval and active encouragement of NAN NYC Chapter President, Theresa Freeman. Our Demands to Rev. Sharpton We Demand...That Joseph Sellman be Immediately Re-instated as the Chair of the NAN HIV Committee, and that all attempts to silence him in the upcoming election cease. We Demand...That Freedom of Speech and Expression be allow at the National Action Network without reprisals, We Demand...That there be no attempts to interfere with the upcoming Committee's leadership election, and We Demand...That Rev. Sharpton insist that the NYC Chapter President, the Hon. Theresa Freeman stop her campaign to insert her will on the NAN HIV Committee. We Demand... that there be transparency at the National Action Network. We Demand... that there be an election for the NAN NYC Chapter and Cabinet Leadership. We Demand...That Rev. Sharpton call a meeting with members of the NAN Executive Committee for the purpose of resolving his concerns and that of the Committee. http://www.change.org/petitions/major-civil-rights-organization-leader-suspends-activist-for-his-advocacy-on-aids?share_id=BmjbBbpNMY& Joseph Sellman, AIDS Activist & Lead Organizer Committee for a Democratic Process at the National Action Network nanoutreach@gmail.com (347)450-1068