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NCNAACP REJECTS
NEW VOTING MAPS
By Cash Michaels
Editor
State
Republican lawmakers may pleased with themselves after redrawing North
Carolina’s 13-district congressional maps last week, but the NCNAACP is not.
The civil
rights organization told reporters Monday that they are asking the federal
appeals court that ordered the new voting maps to now reject them, and redraw
new ones itself, because GOP lawmakers substituted partisanism for race in
their new maps, making them just as bad as the previous voting districts the
federal court ruled earlier this month to be unconstitutional.
The NCNAACP
insisted that the Republican lawmakers who drew the original maps cannot be
trusted.
The
original plaintiffs in the case have asked that the new maps be thrown out by
March 18th.
Attorneys
for the NCNAACP are joining with the original plaintiffs in the lawsuit that
forced the state Legislature to reconvene last week to redraw the congressional
maps, in asking the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to expedite its review,
and toss out the new maps. The NCNAACP also wants the US Supreme Court to
consolidate the various North Carolina cases involving congressional and legislative maps, and
declare them unconstitutional so that voters will be able to have confidence in
their voting districts.
A state
court case involving the constitutionality of the 2011 legislative maps is
scheduled to be heard in April.
Thanks to
the Feb. 5th ruling by a three-judge panel of the Fourth US Circuit
Court of Appeals, the 2011 redistricting maps drawn by the NC General Assembly were determined to
be unconstitutional because black voters had been “stacked and packed” into the
First and Twelfth Congressional districts.
Race cannot
be the primary reason for creating voting districts under the US Constitution.
Party affiliation, however, can be used.
The court
ruling disallowed the 2011 maps, which had already been used in the 2012 and
2014 elections, from being utilized in the upcoming March 15th
primaries and subsequent Nov. 8th general elections.
The NCNAACP
says the two elections that were conducted under the 2011 maps were illegal,
given the federal court’s ruling that maps were unconstitutional.
State
lawmakers were given until Friday, February 19th to redraw the
districts, and submit them to the federal appellate court for review.
Republicans had hoped that the US Supreme Court would stay the lower court’s
order, thus allowing the 2011 maps to still be used for March 15th,
but the US High Court refused to stay the order Friday, meaning that the new
congressional maps drawn will be in force on June 7th, the new North
Carolina congressional primary day state lawmakers decided on last week.
"The fact that no
justices on the court issued a dissenting opinion gives us real hope that the
Supreme Court is tired of these cases coming from North Carolina that are
constructed for the sole purpose of undermining the voting strength of
African-Americans," said atty Irving Joyner, legal counsel for the
NCNAACP.
With the
new date, there will no runoff date, which means whoever gets the majority of
the primary vote wins outright.
Legislative
Democrats complained bitterly as the new maps were being drawn last week,
charging that Republicans were not accepting input from anyone but themselves ,
that hearings were really sham exercises since they already knew how the maps
were going to be redrawn, and that the new maps were just as bad as the 2011
districts because Republican partisanism served as a proxy for race in their
redrawing.
Republicans
denied the charges, countering that race was not a factor at all in their new
maps, which changed the configuration of several districts beyond the First and
Twelfth, and now have several incumbent congressional members facing off
against each other.
Much of
Twelfth District Congresswoman Alma Adams’ district, for example, has now been
absorbed into the Thirteenth District. Adams still vows to run to represent the
Twelfth District.
The NC
Republican Party charges that there is nothing wrong with the new congressional
maps, and the NCNAACP only wants them redrawn so that Democrats can have an
easier way of winning in the upcoming elections.
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DEMOCRATS DEBATE IN US SENATE BID - Democrats seeking to unseat incumbent Republican US Senator Richard Burr are (left to right) businessman Kevin Griffin, Spring Lake Mayor Chris Rey, former state House Rep. Deborah Ross, and US Army veteran Ernest Reeves. [Cash Michaels Photo]
DEMOCRATS DEBATE IN US SENATE BID - Democrats seeking to unseat incumbent Republican US Senator Richard Burr are (left to right) businessman Kevin Griffin, Spring Lake Mayor Chris Rey, former state House Rep. Deborah Ross, and US Army veteran Ernest Reeves. [Cash Michaels Photo]
US SENATE DEMOCRAT
HOPEFULS DEBATE
TONITE
By Cash Michaels
Editor
Tonite, the
four Democrats seeking to unseat Republican incumbent US Senator Richard Burr
will gather to debate to the issues, and why they would be the best nominee to
face Burr on Nov. 8th.
But over a
month ago, at the behest of the African-American and Hispanic caucuses of the
NC Democratic Party, the four candidates indeed debated several issues dealing
with economic opportunity, immigration, terrorism and more.
Taking part
in that debate at NC Democratic Party headquarters were former NC Rep. Deborah
Ross, Spring Lake Mayor Chris Rey, Durham businessman Kevin Griffin and retired
US Army Officer Ernest Reeves.
All four
candidates answered the first and fourth questions. Two candidates answered the
second, and the two others answered the third.
First question – How is Sen. Burr failing North Carolina and failing the nation?
Ms. Ross
charged that Sen. Burr has not been taking care of “ordinary people’s needs” or
reflecting North Carolina’s values. She continued that “people are hurting
today,” adding that children are entitled to a high-quality public school
education. Burr, she says, has voted against ways to manage student loan debt,
and increasing access to Pell grants for higher education. Ross also charged
that Sen. Burr is opposed to raising the minimum wage, and has voted against
equal pay for women. Burr also opposed the Affordable Care Act, and came up
with a plan that would have allowed insurance companies kick people off their
insurance. Burr has also voted to privatize Social Security and other social
safety programs for the elderly. Ross promised to be on the “right side of
those issues” if elected to replace Sen. Burr.
Mayor Rey
charged that Sen. Burr has failed North Carolina “miserably and miserably.” He
said he was “sick and tired of an economy…health care system and criminal
justice that doesn’t work for everyone.”
Rey blasted Burr’s position’s on Social Security and immigration reform. “So my
position on running is very simple…it is our time, and it is our turn.”
Kevin
Griffin said Sen. Burr “worked hard to forget about the people, taking the
“Sen. No” title form Jesse Helms.” Griffin said Burr has forgotten about the
problems facing common people.
Ernest
Reeves said Sen. Burr has done little to support teachers, increasing the
minimum wage for working people, or Medicaid expansion.
Second question – Blacks and Hispanics
comprise the lion’s share of prison populations across the nation. As US
Senator, what could you do about this?
Spring Lake
Mayor Chris Rey said one of the first local ordinances he signed into law upon
his election in 2011 was “Ban the Box,” which allowed ex-felons to apply for
jobs without initially revealing their criminal history. Rey said he’s also
working with Pres. Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative to help young black
males build more productive lives. If elected US senator, Rey said he wants to
look at implementing “second chance” programs and alternative’s to
incarceration.
Businessman
Kevin Griffin said removing mandatory sentencing guidelines is one step towards
reducing incarceration. But Griffin also advocates improving educational
opportunities for poor children. Griffin said he’s also for helping small
businesspeople in depressed areas have an easier time getting loans so that
they can help build stronger economies in their communities.
Third question – As a US senator, what
would your priorities be in the areas of national security and unemployment?
Candidate
Ernest Reeves said, given his extensive military background, that national
security would be his “number one concern.” “National security is a must. We
must protect the homeland.” Regarding unemployment, Reeves said Republicans
have done very little to create jobs.
Ms Ross said
“keeping people safe” would be her “number one priority per national security.
People are feeling insecure from external threats like Isis that “need to be
taken out right where they are. Stronger international partnerships to fight
terrorism have to be made. Ross also called for stronger efforts at safety
domestically, redoubling efforts with the intelligence and law enforcement
communities to root out internal threats.
Regarding
unemployment, Ross agreed with Ernest Reeves that the Republicans have done
very little to help create jobs and rebuild the economy. She said the state
government alone could create numerous jobs by rebuilding roads, bridges and
other infrastructure across the state.
Fourth
question – As US senator, what would you do to make sure that immigrant
refugees are treated properly upon entering the country?
Kevin Griffin said immigrants need to be “brought into the system instead of being forced into hiding,” meaning that they able to work and build better lives for themselves and their families.
Kevin Griffin said immigrants need to be “brought into the system instead of being forced into hiding,” meaning that they able to work and build better lives for themselves and their families.
Ernest
Reeves said he is not for a pathway to citizenship, and those that are here
illegally must follow the law until the courts decide on what to do with them.
Mayor Chris
Rey said he is for a pathway to citizenship for immigrants, and that he has
confidence that the current system in place is proper, and keeps Americans
safe.
Deborah
Ross said America is “a nation of immigrants, and that’s something we need to
be proud of.” But the country also needs comprehensive immigration reform, but
unfortunately, Republicans in Congress have “overpoliticized” it. Ross said she
would have voted for the reform package put before the US Senate several years
ago if she had been in the US Senate. Richard Burr voted against it. “Comprehensive immigration reform is the only
solution, and if elected, I will make that happen.”
-30-
STATE NEWS BRIEFS FOR 2-25-16
STATEWIDE PUBLIC
HEARINGS FOR BLACK MEMORIALS ON STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS
[RALEIGH]
The NC Historical Commission and NC African American Heritage Commission, in
conjunction with Gov. Pat McCrory, the NC Dept. of Natural and Cultural
Resources and the State Capitol Memorial Study Committee are joining together
to sponsor statewide public hearings into memorials on state Capitol grounds
honoring African-Americans. Those hearings are scheduled for Tuesday, March 1
at the International Civil Right Museum in Greensboro at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday,
March 8, 6:30 p.m. at the Harvey B. Gantt Center in Charlotte; Tuesday, march
22 at 6:30 p.m. at Braswell Memorial Library, and Tuesday, March 29th,
6:30 p.m. in Shaw auditorium, Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville.
For more information call 919-807-7290.
STATE LAWMAKERS TO
COUNTER CHARLOTTE NONDISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE
[CHARLOTTE] Gov. Pat McCrory and
Republican legislative leaders have vowed to counter a new Charlotte City
nondiscrimination ordinance that allows transgender people to use the public
bathrooms of their choice in restaurants and locker rooms. . The Charlotte City
Council passed the controversial measure Monday 7-4. It goes into effect April
1st. Gov. McCrory, a former
Charlotte mayor, issued a statement saying, “As governor, I will support legislative action to
address this regulation and will remain committed to protecting the privacy and
safety of all men, women and children of all ages in North Carolina.”
CLEMMONS MAN WINS MAYA
ANGELOU’S LIMOSINE
[CLEMMONS] The 1985 Lincoln
Continental limousine once owned by author/poetess Maya Angelou was recently
raffled off by charity, and won by Brian McGrail of Clemmons. The charity, The
Children’s Home, reportedly raised $5300
from the sale. The limo was donated by Ms. Angelou’s estate. The charity
provides therapeutic home care for children.
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TRIANGLE NEWS BRIEFS
FOR 2-25-16
RALEIGH POLICE
ASSOCIATION VOTES NOT TO BOYCOTT BEYONCE CONCERT
In the wake of superstar singer
Beyonce’s controversial protest Super Bowl halftime show and music video
against police brutality, several police unions across the country where her
concert tour will play have been calling for a police boycott. Beyonce is scheduled to bring her concert to
Carter-Finley Stadium on May 3rd, the Raleigh Police Protective
Association voted Tuesday night not to boycott the event, opting instead to do
their jobs to keep the public safe. Nation of Islam leader Min. Louis Farrakhan
had vowed to provide security for Beyonce’s concert tour if police departments
failed to do so.
SEN. BLUE SPONSORS
TOWN HALL THURSDAY, MARCH 3RD
Senator Dan Blue is hosting a
town hall meeting from 6:30 pm – 8:00pm on Monday, November 16th at
the Garner Road Community Center (Formerly the Garner Road YMCA) 2235 Garner
Road in Raleigh.
Senator Blue encourages members of the local community to attend and
engage in a conversation on the goals and priorities of NC and the future of
our area. Senator Blue will discuss issues related to education, economic
development, transportation, court challenges to legislative efforts to change
voting rights requirements, redistricting, the March 2016 primary for all
elective offices, and the upcoming legislative session starting in April 2016.
RETIRED DURHAM JUDGE
PLEADS GUILTY TO DWI
Retired
Durham Superior Court Judge David LaBarre has pled guilty to a Dec. 16th
charge of driving while impaired. As part of his plea agreement. LaBarre must
undergo substance abuse treatment, complete 24 hours of community service, and
be on unsupervised probation for a year. Judge LaBarre has served on the Durham
bench for over 20 years.
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