The Sacramento chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People sent out a press release Tuesday evening accusing SN&R of racism with its coverage of Mayor Kevin Johnson.

“The NAACP is outraged at the racist SN&R cartoon lampooning Mayor Johnson,” the release read. “Caricaturing images of the Mayor with a crazed and violent look reinforces what many believe is athe persona of many African American males.”

The NAACP is demanding that SN&R’s editorial board reprimand the staff responsible for the illustration. It is also asking for an apologiy from SN&R’s owners and management. A press conference is planned for this Thursday, July 16, at 10 a.m. at the local NAACP office (3335 Third Avenue).

SN&R released this statement after the NAACP release:

“The illustrations of Mayor Kevin Johnson in SN&R’s July 9 issue depict him as sweaty and nervous while reading about his lawsuit against this paper and allegations of email misuse.

These illustrations are based on an actual photo of the mayor.

We refute the NAACP’s assertion that the illustrations are in any way racist, violent, or perpetuating negative stereotypes, or that our coverage of the mayor is racially biased. Such accusations are unfounded and without merit.

SN&R has a 26-year history of supporting the NAACP’s mission. We look forward to continuing and strengthening that support in the future.”