http://nnpa.org/the-u-s-revolution-that-supported-mandela-by-jazelle-hunt/
http://nnpa.org/uninsured-blacks-eligible-for-more-aid-by-jazelle-hunt/
[FOR WILMINGTON JOURNAL]
“POLICE CHIEF MUST
GO”
SAY COMMUNITY LEADERS
By Cash Michaels
Staff writer
Local black
leaders say they’ve seen enough alleged misconduct on the part of Wilmington
police officers to now call for the head of Police Chief Ralph Evangelous.
Sonya
Patrick, chair of the New Hanover Chapter of the NC Black Leadership Caucus,
and Charles Warren, former Brunswick County commissioner, and head of the New
Brunswick NCBLC, say they hold Chief Evangelous responsible for “out of
control” police officers who, in recent months, have been involved with
numerous acts of excessive force with suspects that have resulted in at least
three deaths, and several injuries.
Most of
those officers have been cleared, and a grand jury did not criminally indict a white
WPD K9 Officer Stafford Brister, who is seen on a Nov. 1st police dashboard
video at the corner of 23rd Street and Castle Hayne Road, pushing a
police dog through a driver’s side window into a suspect Johnnie Williams’ car to
attack and bite him after he clearly has his hands up in surrender after a
police chase.
“Putting a dog
in a car when a person has surrendered is inexcusable,” says a joint statement
from both Patrick and Warren. “The time it took to place a dog in the
car, could have
being used to official detained the suspect who again had
surrendered and car was surrounded by armed
officers.”
The pair continued, “In response to the SBI
Report; we speak truth to power. The truth is the Wilmington Police Department
has used excessive force in the line
of duty. The
internal investigation is a waste of time because the official SBI
investigation has taken place and found no wrong doing in the officers.”
Patrick and Warren continued, “The officers are in place to protect and serve.
The evidence of
this video is disturbing and inhuman. We call out to the leadership of the
Wilmington Police Chief Evangelous calling out for his resignation. We have had
too many incidents in the last 90 days that have required an investigation.”
“The local chapters of the NCBLC believes that new leadership in the
Police Department will be a solution,” the joint statement ended.
New Hanover County NAACP President
Deborah Maxwell watched the tape, and called what she saw “extreme,” but Police
Chief Evangelous says other authorities don’t think so.
“When I
first learned about this case I contacted the District Attorney’s Office and
requested his assistance along with the SBI to conduct a full investigation,”
Chief Evangelous said in a statement Monday. “They did what they were asked to
do.” “The Grand Jury, made up of
citizens from our community, has rendered their decision. Our District Attorney
has supported this decision and found that the actions of our officer were not
criminal.”
Chief
Evangelous continued, “The officer will remain on Administrative Leave with pay
pending the outcome of our internal investigation.”
On Wednesday,
in response for calls for his resignation, Evangelous said as chief, his job
was to, “…ensure that the actions of our officers are monitored and that our
ethics and standards are not compromised.”
“I will
continue to take full advantage of the resources afforded me to examine these
incidents fully. While that may draw criticism form some, it is a matter of
maintaining public and employee trust in me and the department.”
But Sonya Patrick says this latest
incident is just the most recent example of how the police chief fails to hold
his officers accountable for their actions, and thus Evangelous must go.
Wilmington
City Councilwoman Deborah Padgett does not agree that Chief Evangelous should
step down, but she, too, was troubled by what she saw per the K-9 video, and
has said that Officer Brister should have, “…used better judgment.”
-30-
BOARD SLAMS “OVER-REACTION”
TO SUTTON’S CHAIR
OUSTER
By Cash Michaels
Editor
In 2011, in
an effort to unseat then District 8 Wake School Board Chairman Ron Margiotta,
Southeast Raleigh board member Keith Sutton took Democratic challenger Susan
Evans with him to various black churches in Apex prior to the October elections
to introduce her to those congregations, and assure them that if elected, she
would represent their concerns.
Voters in
those black churches helped to show Margiotta, the Republican who led the 2009 GOP
takeover of the Wake School Board which made national news in how it racially
divided the community, the door.
Evans then gladly
supported Sutton’s bid to succeed embattled Board Chairman Kevin Hill in 2012,
but exactly one year later, the District 8 representative told The News & Observer a week after
voting, along with the rest of the “Kushner Seven” to oust Chairman Sutton,
“It’s unfortunate that there’s been such a over-reaction to the decision.”
Christine
Kushner, the board vice chair who weeks ago was secretly tapped to replace
Sutton by her colleagues prior to the Dec. 3rd 7-2 vote, told the
paper that, “…she didn’t want to disrespect [Sutton] by saying why a leadership
change was needed,” as if last week’s stunning all-white vote to oust him was
“disrespect” enough.
Former
Board Chairman Kevin Hill, whose contentious 2011 campaign and subsequent
election runoff was supported by Sutton not only on the ground, but with money
donated from Sutton’s own District 4 election campaign, told the N&O that
Sutton’s ouster was a “board issue,” and he was apparently dismayed that, “…an
outside group or individuals has tried to influence the selection.”
The paper
also reported that another board colleague, NCSU Prof. Jim Martin, “Has
compared the [Kusher] vote to a personnel decision that would normally be
treated as a confidential matter.”
By state
law, elected members of public bodies are not considered hired personnel, and
thus, their deliberations – with the exception of personnel and real estate
issues – and decisions, including the choosing of board leadership, are not
concealed from public view or scrutiny.
That in a
nutshell, a week after seven white board members summarily dismissed the
board’s black chairman without any substantial accountability to the public, is
the justification of the Kushner 7 controversial action – “We did it, now let’s
move on.
Various
Democratic black-elected officials like District C City Councilman Eugene
Weeks, and Wake County Commissioner James West have expressed surprise and
concern as to the school board’s action.
No doubt
when Chairwoman Kushner and board member Martin met with the Wake Black
Leadership Caucus Wednesday evening at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Raleigh,
they received an earful as well (The Carolinian
will have a full report on that meeting next week).
But the
Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association – the veteran nonpartisan grassroots
community group which traditionally vets local candidates for public office –
has also expressed its displeasure, and the ramifications for the Wake School
Board which come with it.
“There
needs to be a better explanation, or an explanation period,” said Rev. Dr. Earl
C. Johnson, president of the RWCA. “That what people in Southeast Raleigh, and
people all over Wake county deserve a better response than what they have
given.”
Rev.
Johnson continued that he didn’t understand why the Kushner 7 maintain that
they needed different leadership, when Sutton clearly showed that he was able
to effectively take on virtually every issue that confronted the board – from
passage of the $810 million school construction bond, to the hiring of new
schools Supt. Dr. James Merrill, to the halting of a Wake Commissioner
legislative plan to take over both control and ownership of Wake school system
properties .
“Without
his leadership, reality, I don’t think the school [construction] bond would
have passed, and I don’t think that the public’s impression of the school board
would be as lucid as it is now,” Rev. Johnson said, adding that he thinks
Sutton has “brought back some respectability” to a board that just one year ago
was in desperate and tattered shape after the firing of Supt. Tony Tata.
As he did
in his written statement to The Carolinian, Rev. Johnson promised that sooner
or later, the Kushner 7 will have to come before the community and account for
their actions, especially now that, per the GOP state Legislature, the school
board voting maps have changed, and there will be two at-large districts now,
instead of nine single districts.
“…[W]e wish to express to the remaining board
members that this is a new day,” Rev. Johnson wrote last week. “It is not lost
on us that many, if not all of you, have visited our meetings and attended our
public forums during election seasons. You have sought our endorsements and
seek our assistance with your campaign canvassing and fundraising efforts. The
upcoming elections of 2016 may seem far off, but our memories are even longer.
This slight of one of our brightest leaders is not something that we take
lightly. Keith Sutton represented a beacon of hope to the thousands of young
African-American students who are educated under his watch. In an era in which
our President is besieged by hostile forces within the GOP, we, the membership
of the Raleigh Wake Citizens, feel as though WCSB Member Keith Sutton has been
similarly maligned.”
“Our minds are not settled with this matter.”
-30-
[BOX]
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SATURDAY
There will be a Triangle
Wide Memorial Service for the late President Nelson Mandela in Raleigh on
Saturday, December 14th, 2 P.M. AT First Baptist Church, 101 south
Wilmington Street, Downtown Raleigh. Invited dignitaries to speak include
Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane, Gov. Pat McCrory and Rev. Dr. William Barber,
president of the NC NAACP. This event is free and open to the public. Call
919-834-6264 for more information.
-30-
-30-
TRIANGLE NEWS BRIEFS 12-12-13
TRIANGLE UNEMPLOYMENT
STAYS FLAT FOR OCTOBER
The jobless
rate in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area in October was virtually flat at
6.4 percent, even though the region gained 6,000 jobs – the biggest job gain
for the area since January 2012 - according to the NC Dept. of Commerce. The
rate drop is least it’s been in five years. Observers say it is a sure sign
that the region’s economic fortunes are improving.
FAMILY WANTS FEDS TO
PROBE DURHAM TEEN’S SHOOTING DEATH
Even the
State Bureau of Investigation is probing the death of a Latino teenager who was
shot to death in the back of a Durham Police vehicle, the family of the victim,
Jesus Huerta, 17, say they now want the US Dept. of Justice to come in and
uncover the truth. On the night of Nov. 19th, Huerta was in the back
of a Durham patrol car that had just arrived in the parking lot of Durham
Police headquarters, after just having been arrested for trespassing after his
mother called police looking for him. Reportedly a shot rang out, but
authorities maintain it was not a police weapon. Police officials refuse to
give further details while the SBI probe continues.
DURHAM COMMUNITY
MEETS TO SOLVE HIGH SUSPENSIONS
How can
Durham Public Schools stem the tide of higher suspension rates among black male
students and students with special needs? That was the purpose of a public
forum Monday evening with concerned parents, administrators and members of the
public. With approximately 6,000 students – 80 percent of whom were black – suspended
by the Durham school system last year, new solutions were being sought. Many of
those discussed included lowering class sizes, training teachers in student
diversity, dealing with truancy and fighting, among other issues. A report is
expected to be forwarded to the Durham Board of Education for review, and
possible policy action.
-30-
STATE NEWS BRIEFS 12-12-13
MORE NC TEACHERS ARE
LEAVING STATE SCHOOL SYSTEMS
[GREENSBORO]
More teachers left North Carolina classrooms last year than within the past
five years, according to an annual report by the NC Dept. of Public
Instruction. Approximately 13,616, or over 14 percent of public school
educators left school districts for other jobs in education or the private
sector in 2012-13. That was up from
slightly over 12 percent in 2011-12.
Almost 900 left last year because they could no longer tolerate bad
conditions, like the state’s failure to raise teacher’s pay. North Carolina
ranks near the bottom of the nation’s 50-states in teachers’ pay.
NCNAACP WANTS VOTING
RIGHTS TRIAL BEFORE 2014
[WINSTON-SALEM]
Plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit to stop North Carolina’s new voting reform
laws want a trial before the 2014 elections, and are in court today to argue
that point. Attorneys for Republican
Gov. Pat McCrory and the state Legislature are expected to argue for the trial
to challenge voter photo ID and restrictions due to kick in by the 2016
elections to take place after the 2014 elections, most likely in 2015. Indeed,
they’re suggesting the summer of 2015. Observers say the trial most likely will
take at least three weeks. The NC NAACP, the NC League of Women Voters, the NC
ACLU and other groups say they want the trial prior to the Nov. 4, 2014
elections. A judge could decide as soon as today, if not in several weeks.
Meanwhile in Wake County, the elections board there has decided to allow Sunday
early voting for the November 2014 elections (new state law voting restrictions
eliminate Sunday voting after 2014), but the Chavis Community Center in
Southeast Raleigh will not be used for early voting in the May 2014 primaries.
NCAE AND NC JUSTICE
CENTER TO SUE STATE OVER EDUCATION CHANGES
[RALEIGH]
The North Carolina Association of Educators and the NC Justice Center reportedly
filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the state alleging,” …that the
unconstitutional school legislation passed by the General Assembly during the
last legislative session will undermine student success by undercutting public
schools.” New laws by the Republican legislature eliminated teacher tenure in
lieu of performance pay. GOP lawmakers say the changes put more accountability into
North Carolina’s education system.
-30-
CASH IN THE APPLE 12
–13-13
By Cash Michaels
MANDELA –
It has been quite surprising, but also heartwarming to see our American media,
indeed the world’s collective media, pay tribute to the life and legacy of former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Mandela
passed last week at his home, with his family at his side, after a long
illness. He was 95.
From
freedom fighter to peacemaker, Mandela, since his release from prison over a
quarter – century ago, has been the very symbol of peace and reconciliation.
His story is legendary, his life incredible. To share just a picture with him
was something many of the world’s greatest celebrities and powerful leaders
craved.
Indeed,
Nelson Mandela shares the same plateau with legendary American civil rights
leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
as a man of great vision, great purpose, but humble spirit.
In 1990,
when President Mandela visited the United States at the request of Mrs. Coretta Scott King (no slouch
herself in the civil rights department), he went to Atlanta for a public
gathering at Georgia Tech Stadium.
That’s
where I saw him, along with a busload of people from Raleigh. I was working
with WLLE-AM, and we had promoted
the trip with the Martin Luther King
Celebration Committee.
The place was
jammed, as tens of thousands from all over the South, and the nation, came to
the home of the Yellow Jackets to salute a hero, and a legend.
Though I
never got the chance to personally meet “Madiba” as he was called in his native
South Africa, I can definitely say that I was in his presence, and saw and
heard him speak.
It was
great history.
So apt it
was to have our first black president pay tribute to South Africa’s upon the
sad news of Mandela’s death.
“He is no
longer ours,” said President Barack
Obama. “ He now belongs to the ages.”
So true, so
true.
Thank you
Madiba, for all that you’ve done in the interest of peace, and freedom.
RIGHT-WING
TAKE ON MANDELA – Boy, has it been disturbing to hear the neo-cons rattle about
how Nelson Mandela was an anti-American Commie-pinko who hated white people and
was a terrorist. No less that former Vice
President Dick Cheney still maintains that he, and other Republicans, were
right to vote against sanctions on the white-controlled South African
government during the 1980’s. As for as Cheney, President Ronald Reagan (who vetoed those sanctions) and our own Sen. Jesse Helms were concerned, South
Africa was a trusted friend, they have precious minerals (like diamonds, etc.)
we want access to (if the black South Africans take over, they’ll never give us
access), and we can do business with them.
Thus, we
have to demonize someone like Nelson Mandela.
And that
demonization per the right-wing continues today, though I have to give folks
like Tea Party Sen. Ted Cruz credit
(for now) for properly eulogizing Mandela against a torrent of criticism from
his own crazy base.
The more
they run their mouths, the more the right-wing of this nation further exposes
their venom and hatred for things most normal people consider worthy of praise
and note.
They feel
that their white supremacist world (that’s their view, unfortunately) is
ordained by GOD, and they, and they alone should lead. And there can be no
doubt that many of them are in leadership, and have effectively thrown this
nation on its collective back.
So allowing
the legacy of Nelson Mandela to go without challenge is something these folks
are simply not in business for. And that’s a shame. That means there’s very
little, or next to nothing all of us can ever come together on. And that’s sad,
because that means we can never expect better from the right-wingers.
Never.
BEVERLY
HILLS COP 4 – Word is that comedian Eddie
Murphy, whose movie career is about as low as Sara Palin’s IQ score, is
reportedly going back to basis with yet the fourth installment of his popular
Beverly Hills Cop franchise. Detroit Det. Axel Foley will ride again, and
Murphy wants his buddy, director Brett
Ratner, famous for his “Rush Hour” movies, to helm the project.
Let’s be
blunt…Eddie Murphy needs a hit even more than the Republicans. His movie career
is so bad (with the exception of his voiceovers as the Donkey in the Shrek
animated movies) that film companies are actually releasing unfunny comedies of
his that were made years ago, but were held back. Murphy’s “The Adventures of
Pluto Nash” was one of the most expensive failures in cinema history. So it
makes sense that he would go back to the well of Beverly Hills Cop, even though
the last one was released in 1994 and didn’t do that well.
Also keep
in mind the CBS turned thumbs down on what was supposed to be a Beverly Hills
Cop TV series last year, which Murphy was supposed to make occasional visits
to.
So let’s
all hope that Eddie gets it together with “BHC 4.” He’s kept himself in great
physical shape, and he’s certainly overdue for something big beyond Shrek.
We wish him
well.
BLACK PRESS
AT WORK – For Carolinian readers, if you’ve been following our exclusive
coverage of the ouster of Wake School
Board Chairman Keith Sutton by seven of his colleagues on the nine-member
board, then you know that we were on that story weeks before it happened, and
sounded the alarm until it did.
We did so
because, once again, we saw one of our very finest leaders be completely
disrespected, despite his hard work on behalf of the entire overall community.
We sounded
the alarm, not only because what we predicted would happen wasn’t right, but
because those who aspire to be leaders, especially our young people, need to
know that when you do right, and give you life to service, that your community
will stand with you no matter what.
That is our
continued commitment as the oldest, and most respected African-American
newspaper in Raleigh, and it will continue to be so.
So please
continue to support us, and our advertisers, so that we can continue to fight
for you.
Yet another
reason why we still need a strong, vibrant and courageous Black Press.
Make sure you tune in
every Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. for my talk radio show, ''Make It Happen''
on Power 750 WAUG-AM, or online at www.myWAUG.com.
And read more about my thoughts and opinions exclusively at my blog, ‘The Cash
Roc” (http://thecashroc.blogspot.com/2011/01/cash-roc-begins.html).
I promise it will be interesting.
Cash in the Apple - honored as the Best
Column Writing of 2006 by the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
Columnist Cash Michaels was also honored by the NNPA for Best Feature Story
Journalist of 2009, and was the recipient of the Raleigh-Apex NAACP’s
President’s Award for Media Excellence in Sept. 2011.
Until next week, keep a smile on your face,
GOD in your heart, and The Carolinian in your life. Bye, bye.
-30-
DR. LUCAS HONORED - Former Shaw University President, Dr. John H. Lucas, was recently presented the North Carolina Award by Gov. Pat McCrory. Dr. Lucas, who is 93 years old, was honored for his many years of public service. Based on General Assembly statutes, the North Carolina Award is the highest honor that any governor may bestow upon a person who was born or who resides in the state of North Carolina. [photo courtesy of Eddie Davis]
BEN CHAVIS TRIBUTE TO NELSON MANDELA
by Dr. Benjamin L. Chavis
Special to the NNPA
Special to the NNPA
As
millions of people throughout world mourn and celebrate the life and living legacy
of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, it is important to focus on some of the most
enduring and meaningful leadership attributes of Madiba’s long and valiant
struggle for freedom, justice, equality, peace and empowerment. Mandela’s leadership not only transformed
South Africa into an inclusive nonracial democracy and a vibrant emerging
economy, but also Mandela became the unquestionable moral leader of the global
movement for freedom.
We well remember that
historic moment and magnificent sight on May 10, 1994 when heads of state from
across Africa and from around the world gathered to attend the inauguration of
President Nelson Mandela in South Africa.
It was a celebration of the triumph of the election of Mandela, as well
as a solemn salute to the victory of the liberation and freedom movement in
South Africa and all over the region of southern Africa. Through the hard work, tremendous sacrifices,
blood, and organizational discipline of the African National Congress (ANC),
the first democratic election in the history of South Africa was achieved with
one of the highest voter turnouts that the world has ever witnessed.
As Executive Director and CEO of the NAACP
at that time, I traveled with Vice President Al Gore and First Lady Hillary
Clinton along with a delegation of elected officials together with national
civic and labor leaders on Air Force One to South Africa. I was honored to sit beside Mrs. Coretta
Scott King and The Reverend Bernice King at Mandela’s inauguration. I knew then as I know now that Nelson Mandela
and The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr were more than kindred spirits. Mandela and King were both relentless
visionaries and fearless freedom fighters.
Sitting directly in front of me was President
Fidel Castro of Cuba. It was significant for Fidel Castro to be in attendance
because of the pivotal and game-changing role that Cuba had played in defeating
the spread of apartheid in southern Africa in the 1980s, in particular in the
Republic of Angola. Another crucial attribute of Madiba was his unflinching
international solidarity with other freedom fighters and revolutionaries who
were successful in confronting human oppression, colonialism, imperialism and
poverty.
There we all were
together amidst tens of thousands of dignitaries, leaders and the masses of
people of Africa to observe the irreversible transformation of South Africa. After taking the oath of office, President
Mandela spoke eloquently and forcefully.
At the conclusion of his address, Mandela emphasized: “Never, never, and never again shall it be that
this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another….
The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. Let freedom reign.” From that moment until today, it has been the
bountiful and fertile seeds of Madiba’s visionary leadership that have helped
to guide and shape the progress of South Africa.
Mandela
believed in the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness in the context
of
insuring equal justice and freedom for
all, yet he was not at all some sort of soft or milk-toast leader. Madiba was strong and maintained a firm
disciplined humility even after doing 27 years as a political prisoner of the
evil of apartheid. It is noteworthy to
caution those who now want to attempt to reduce the multiple aspects of the
genius of Mandela’s character and leadership to only the comforting singularity
of being designated solely as a “forgiver” or “reconciler.” Yes it is without question that Mandela’s
courage and leadership to avoid a revengeful transition bloodbath in South
Africa was the critical testimony to his towering strength and commitment to
liberate all the people of South Africa toward equality, peace, economic
justice and empowerment. My point here,
however, is to simply remind everyone that freedom is not free and not without
sacrifice and struggle. Mandela and the
ANC willingly paid a very heavy price to enable the progress that is celebrated
today.
Madiba’s
leadership personified the collective dignity, integrity, wisdom, ideology,
self-determination, tenacity and stamina of the African National Congress.
Mandela first joined the ANC in 1942.
For over 70 years Mandela and the ANC were inseparable in the struggle
to free and build a better South Africa for all and to be in solidarity with
freedom-loving people everywhere. From
President Nelson Mandela to President Thabo Mbeki to President Jacob Zuma
today, the ANC continues to provide the necessary leadership to move South
Africa forward. In the wake of the
passing of Madiba, the following was the official statement of the ANC: “Our
nation has lost a colossus, an epitome of humility, equality, justice, peace
and the hope of millions, here and abroad.
His life gives us the courage to push forward for development and
progress towards ending hunger and poverty. We have you, Madiba (Mandela), as
our nearest and brightest star to guide us on our way. We will not get lost.”
Long
live the spirit of Nelson Mandela. May Madiba rest in eternal peace. Long live
the spirit of the ANC. Long live the spirit of the freedom movement throughout
the world.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is leader of the Wilmington Ten, president
of Education Online Services Corporation and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. See his story next February 2014 in the NNPA-CashWorks HD Productions documentary, "Pardons of Innocence: The Wilmington Ten
-30-
REV. BARBER, 11 MORAL MONDAY
PANTHER BRANCH ROSENWALD SCHOOL IN RALEIGH
[FOR CHURCH NEWS - THE CAROLINIAN]
Church restores former Rosenwald School
-30-
REV. BARBER, 11 MORAL MONDAY
PROTESTORS, FOUND
GUILTY
By Cash Michaels
Staff writer
After two
days of renewed testimony, a Wake District Court judge last week found NC NAACP
President Rev. William Barber, and eleven members of the statewide Moral Monday
movement, guilty of second-degree trespassing at the NC Legislative Building,
and violating of the building restrictions.
They were
all fined $100.00, but were not barred from going back to the General Assembly
building.
None of the
defendants ever testified at trial, the first day of which actually started in
October before concluding in Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.
The “Moral
Monday 12” were among the first 17 arrested and charged when the movement’s
first demonstrations began on April 29th of this year.
Durham
Attorney Irving Joyner, chairman of the NC NAACP Legal Redress Committee, and
co-counsel Scott Holmes immediately informed the court that they will appeal.
Judge Joy
Hamilton did dismiss a charge of failure to disperse after defense attorneys
argued that the Moral Monday protesters’ right to assemble and free speech were
constitutional, and they posed no threat of violence.
Joyner and
Holmes also argued that the Legislative Building’s rules were so vague that
that they couldn’t be enforced, but Judge Hamilton, who did admit that the
restrictions were “vague, overbroad and confusing,” still determined that the
Moral Monday 12 “acted in concert’ to violate them, ultimately causing a
disruption that disturbed lawmakers.
Over 900
protestors were arrested and charged in Raleigh since the massive weekly
protests at Republican-led NC General Assembly began last April.
Led by Rev.
Barber’s NCNAACP, a diverse coalition of activists came together to demonstrate
against what they considered to be oppressive and abusive laws and policies
pushed by legislative Republicans, and GOP Gov. Pat McCrory.
Because
Wake District Attorney C. Colon Willoughby was concerned about tying up the
county courts with what essentially were hundreds of misdemeanor trespassing charges,
he offered deals to some of those to drop their charges, if they committed to
several hours of community service. Some complied, but the overwhelming number,
thus far, have opted to stand trial to prove that they did nothing wrong, and
were well within their constitutional rights to protest.
This far,
their record of trial before Judge Hamilton is mixed.
Most
observers say that essentially, all of the Moral Monday protesters who
peacefully demonstrated, and then voluntarily allowed themselves to be arrested
by Capital Police officers, and taken to jail, were generally charged with the
same charges.
And yet,
Judge Hamilton has convicted a black male protester, and then found a white
Chapel Hill couple not guilty. And now, Hamilton has convicted Rev. Barber and
eleven more protesters.
After the
verdict, Rev. Barber told reporters that despite he convictions, the Moral
Monday movement would continue.
"We may be convicted for our
convictions, but our convictions stand," the NCNAACP leader said. "So, what are we going to do? We're
going to go back and continue to mobilize."
-30-
[FOR CHURCH NEWS - THE CAROLINIAN]
Church restores former Rosenwald School
Special to The Carolinian from Juniper Level Missionary Baptist Church
RALEIGH – An old school building stands on
Sauls Road in rural Raleigh,
modest yet monumental - especially to the
students who attended over 70 years ago. The historic Panther Branch Rosenwald
School is being restored after years of fundraising efforts.
Built in 1926, it was part of an initiative
to provide quality education to African-American students. The building is one
of four remaining Panther Branch schools in Wake County and is now owned by
Juniper Level Missionary Baptist Church across the street.
Alumni recently came together to reminisce
about their time as young students. Many were the children of local
sharecroppers and walked miles to school every day.
"The first (student) that arrived had to
make the fire to keep us warm," said Ella W. Perry, 84, president of the
Juniper Level alumni.
Alumni Vice President William Johnson, 74,
said he was often the one to make the fire because he was the first to arrive
with his aunt who was also the principal and a teacher.
Helen Stephens Sneed, 77, remembers Johnson's
aunt, Florence Adams, putting on a one-person play with Sneed as the leading
role. Sneed's mother and other family members attended the school before her.
The school is being restored into a community
center for activities and programs.
"We hope to raise the consciousness of
the community through public education, art, music, culture and crafts,"
in a statement from the Juniper Level Baptist Church Community Alliance.
"Our lives were built around the
community," Jarvis Morgan, 89, said. "I met a lot of friends."
Added his longtime pal John Penix, 91:
"I think it's a wonderful idea, it brings back memories."
For these alumni, the school wasn't just a
place where they learned basic academic skills, it was also where they came
together as friends and enjoyed life.
Perry said her fondest, earliest memory of
being a 6-year-old student was being put in charge of her class when her
teacher was away. She eventually became a teacher herself.
Peggy Harrington, 82, remembers the ribbons
around the maypole they put up every spring.
Rosenwald provided many other services to the
community aside from an elementary education. Every summer it gave shots, like
hepatitis, to students. A book mobile arrived every two weeks. It was a
traveling library, and students could rent and return books bi-weekly.
Lovie M. Myatt, 90, remembers the home demonstrations
in the summer, where she learned to can vegetables in preparation for the
winter.
Though Rosenwald’s days as an educational
institution are memories of yesteryear, alumni hope to reinvent it as an asset
to the community. On the registry of National Historic Places, and an official
Wake County Landmark, the school is now in phase I of its construction with an
estimated completion cost of $200,000.
"I look forward to this being a
wonderful part of this community," Morgan said.
For more information, call (919) 779-6401.
Contributions are tax deductible.
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