SAN ANTONIO -- Thousands of people are gathering in San Antonio for the NAACP’s 109th Convention.

Saturday, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and the national committee welcomed attendees at the Henry B Gonzalez Convention center.

The NAACP San Antonio branch won the bid to host the convention two years ago. This year's conference theme is "Defeat Hate, Vote" which will focus on how voting rights are under attack. Other topics will focus on the civil rights of African-Americans.

The convention includes a number of seminars, workshops and round table discussions taking place through Wednesday.