PORTLAND (AP) — The NAACP has reached an agreement with two inactive chapters in Maine to allow the groups to continue with their traditional Martin Luther King Jr. holiday celebrations.

NAACP regional president Juan Cofield tells The Portland Press Herald that the Portland and Bangor branches have been operating without approval of the national organization for more than two years.

Officials say the chapters were relegated to “inactive” because they weren’t following NAACP bylaws.

Michael Alpert, president of the Greater Bangor Area NAACP, described the dispute as a “matter of communication” between the branches and the regional office.

Alpert says he expects both chapters to return to active status next year.

Officials say the annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday events are crucial to the groups’ fundraising efforts.

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