President Barack Obama, in an inspiring speech at the NACCP on Thursday night reportedly paid a tribute to the civil rights pioneers who had helped to make his presidency possible. The President was also critical about the legacy of discrimination as he declared that “discrimination must not stand”.

“Because ordinary people made the civil rights movement their own, I made a trip to Springfield a couple of years ago - where Lincoln once lived and race riots when raged - and began the journey that has led me here tonight as the 44th President of the United States of America,” Obama addressed to the crowd. “I am here to say ‘thank you’ those pioneers and thank you to NACCP,” Obama said as he received a thunderous applause from the crowd.

Obama’s gratitude was reflected through his speech which was delivered with immense passion, a sight which wasn’t seen since last years presidential campaign. The President remembered his last week visit to Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, where slaves were put on board for America.

“I was reminded of all the pain and all the hardships, all the injustices and all the indignities on the voyage from slavery to freedom. But I was also reminded of something else. I was reminded that no matter how bitter the road or how stony the road, we have persevered,” a nostalgic Obama said.

The rousing and inspiring speech of Obama at NACCP was greeted by a thunderous applause from the crowd. “Our chests were bursting out in front of us with the pride to see the son of the civil rights struggle stand in this auditorium as the leader of the free world,” said NACCP Vice Chair person Roslyn Brock.