Judgeship dispute and political rancor shade MLK event

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Monday’s Houma celebration honoring the memory of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared elements of similar events throughout the state and the nation, with a children’s parade, music and speeches marking the slain civil rights leader’s legacy.

But this year’s annual event, sponsored by the Terrebonne Parish Brach of the NAACP, included key differences from those in the past or currently at other places, including appearances by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and members of Dr. King’s family.


There was displayed, as well, an unusually sharp political edge, as the organization’s president, Jerome Boykin, made clear his contempt for Parish President Gordon Dove, from the podium at the Dumas Auditorium during a fiery speech that drew applause from the crowd at several points.

“We are going to do all that we can to make sure that he is not re-elected back into office,” Boykin said. “And to all of our black elected officials if you endorse or support a man like that, we are going to be in opposition to get you out of office … If you see any Gordon Dove signs in the black community, we are going to come and talk to those negroes … We are not taking any prisoners.”

Dove, who was not invited to the gathering, fired his own barbs about the promised campaign against him, which Boykin announced from the podium


“I do not want nor will I accept Jerome Boykin’s support in any election,” said Dove. “I do not want his support because he has not done anything for the minority community. I don’t see him when we do things with housing, when we are trying to find people jobs. What the NAACP needs is a new president.”

Division between Dove and Boykin runs deep., ever since Dove, then a state representative, publicly argued against a 2011 bill that would have eliminated at-large voting for state district court judges in Terrebonne. The rift widened when Dove ran for Parish President in 2015 and was exacerbated during progress of a suit filed in federal court by the NAACP, alleging that Terrebonne’s system of selecting judges at-large violated the U.S. Voting Rights Act.

The late U.S. District Court Judge James Brady ruled that the at-large method violates federal law. Now Judge Shelly Dick presides over the case and must craft a cure for the violation.


During the trial Dove testified on behalf of the defendants in the case, Attorney General Jeff Landry and Gov. John Bel Edwards, who inherited that status from former Gov. Bobby Jindal, who held the office when the suit was first brought.

Gov. Edwards’ appearance at Monday’s function was devoid of political references, and he did not speak of the lawsuit. During the course of the litigation, however, dialogue between attorneys from the New York-based NAACP Legal Defense Fund, who represent the local NAACP in the suit and Edwards’ staff have appeared more conciliatory on the issue than that involving lawyers and working for Landry. Landry retained out-of-state counsel at state expense with close ties to the Republican National Committee. Edwards distanced himself from Landry — an announced challenger to the governor in the upcoming statewide race — by utilizing Thibodaux attorney Matthew Block, who serves as his executive counsel, to handle the case on his behalf.

“The Governor was honored to accept the invitation to speak at the Terrebonne NAACP’s celebration on Martin Luther Jr. Day,” said a spokeswoman, Christina Stephens. “He sees Dr. King as a one of the world’s greatest ambassadors for equality and peace and his attendance at this and other events on Monday is to commemorate Dr. King’s legacy.”


At the Monday function Boykin introduced fliers and bumper stickers urging rejection of Dove, perhaps the most aggressive message opposing the incumbent to date.

Asked if he believes introduction of the political message was appropriate on a day meant to honor the civil rights icon’s memory, Boykin said there is no question in his mind.

“As far as politics, if that was true, I don’t think we would have Dr. King’s family in support of what we are doing,” Boykin said. “This is a direct extension of Dr. King’s legacy.”


Isaac Farris Jr., a nephew of Dr. King, was present at the Dumas Auditorium event. He and another nephew, the Rev. Derek King, have appeared in Houma before, supporting the NAACP’s position in the suit. King’s eldest son, Martin Luther King III, has also voiced his support. They and other leaders associated with the civil rights movement have vowed support of a local voter registration drive that Boykin said will be leveled at unseating any local office-holder, white or black, who has not supported the lawsuit effort.

Dove stands by his assertion that the push for a special minority judgeship district is a moot point because the parish has a black judge — the Hon. Juan Pickett — who was elected unopposed and whom he supported.


Times Contributing Writer Howard J. Castay Jr. assisted with this report

Boykin and Dove