STATE NEWS BRIEFS FOR 06-04-20
TRUMP PULLS RNC CONVENTION FROM CHARLOTTE
[CHARLOTTE] After Gov. Roy Cooper made it clear Tuesday that the Republican National Committee would not be allowed to bring 50,000 attendees to Charlotte for their convention in August because of concerns about COVID-19, Pres. Trump announced later that night that the RNC would be pulling the political gathering from the Queen City. The Republican governors of Florida, Texas and Georgia have all indicated that they would be ready to host the convention on short notice, despite the danger of coronavirus contamination. Trump wants no face masks, and no social distancing during the event.
NC COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS JUMP TO HIGHEST LEVEL EVER
[DURHAM] 716 patients identified with COVID-19 are listed in hospitals across the state, the highest number of hospitalizations in North Carolina since the pandemic began, reports NCDHHS. There are approximately 30,000 confirmed cases in the state, and approximately 1,000 deaths. Over 450 of those deaths occurred in nursing homes.
POLICE IN FAYETTEVILLE, RALEIGH, KNEEL WITH PROTESTORS FOR PEACE
[RALEIGH] After several days of tear gas, looting and violent clashes, as the week began, police officers in Fayetteville and Raleigh decided to put down their batons, and respond positively when protestors got down on one knee, and called for officers to “Kneel with us!” The police did, to be immediately met with hugs and handshakes. The scene signaled that in some communities, protestors and police want to work together to bring about change.
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REV. DANTE A. MURPHY
REV. MURPHY BELIEVES
RACE PLAYED ROLE IN
ATTaCK ON SHEPARD FAMILY
By Cash Michaels
staff writer
It has now been over a month since an all-white mob - some with guns - led by a law enforcement officer, allegedly tried to force their way into the home of a black family in Pender County, looking for a missing biracial teenage sister.
The family of Jordan Kita - the now former deputy for the NHC Sheriff’s Dept., maintains that race was not a factor in the assault he allegedly led on the home of Monica Shepard and her 18-year-old son, Dameon. And to the allegation that he was erroneously tipped off that a black male teenager named “Josiah” was with his sister, Kita’s lawyer and family maintain they didn’t even know that Josiah was black, even though they were looking for him, took and went to one of the only two black homes in the Avendale community.
What also doesn’t make sense then, observers say, is that if they knew nothing about Josiah, then why were at least three guns brandished? Did Kita and his group display weapons ever time they knocked a door looking for his sister that night?
Rev. Dante A. Murphy, president of the Pender County NAACP, and leader of Southern Coalition for Equal Protections Under the Law, isn’t buying it either.
After reading last week’s Wilmington Journal analysis of the facts surrounding the Shepard home attack, and the Journal’s exclusive interview with Shepard family attorney James Lea, Rev. Murphy weighed-in.
“To ask people “Is it about race?" will get different answers depending on all sorts of things,” Murphy said in a statement. “But if you are black and a mob of armed white people are trying to get into your home, then it is about race. All you have to do is look at American history—about what has happened over and over to our black ancestors and our present brethren. There is abundant evidence suggesting that a white mob in pursuit of a black citizen will result in some horrible and traumatic event if not stopped in its tracks.”
“But there is also a kind of non-racial perspective to this event that has to do with the arrogance of power,” Rev. Murphy continued. “It has been played out across our nation and in our school systems and institutions for hundreds of years. Both whites and blacks and other minorities suffer from it. It happens because of good-old-boy networks. It happens because of the good-old-boy system. “
“And in this particular Shepherd case, with glue apparently holding together an armed mob, a deputy sheriff, two sheriff’s departments, and a slow moving D.A., you have the face of an arrogance of power that has, for example, recently shown up with the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. A Mississippi mayor recently quipped about that event, “If you can talk, you can breathe.” Do you for one minute believe that this white Mississippi mayor is not part and parcel of a white good-old-boy Mississippi system?”
“What is welcomed is newspapers like the Wilmington Journal speaking out against armed mob behaviors, and all behaviors of white on black violence,” Rev. Murphy continued.
“Violence in our communities can also be silent and covered-up. Witness intimidation, corruption, and cover-up in our communities today. What will be welcomed in the hub of Southeastern North Carolina (New Hanover County) is more people, black and white and brown, speaking publicly, for example, against child sexual abuse and racial discrimination--for example, in our New Hanover County Schools.”
“We are still uncovering previously unknown facts about the discriminatory actions involving Spanish Immersion kindergarten enrollment at Forest Hills Elementary School several years back. People protesting loudly will serve justice in these matters of racism and the arrogance of power,” Rev. Murphy concluded.
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WILL THE BLACK RAGE
OVER FLOYD DEATH CONTINUE?
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
What comes next, days after a nationwide rage in the streets over the Memorial Day Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, 46?
From coast to coast, in all fifty states, including here in North Carolina in Raleigh, Greensboro, Fayetteville and Charlotte, diverse groups of angry youth filled the streets after hours of peaceful protests in memory of Floyd, who was slain when four Minneapolis police officers in Minnesota arrested him for allegedly passing a forged $20.00 bill at a store, handcuffed him, and then further subdued the black man but placing him face down in the street, with one officer’s knee in Floyd’s neck for approximately eight minutes.
Video of the incident - with the helpless Floyd crying out that he couldn’t breathe, and asking for his mother, went viral, causing a national chain reaction of street rage with uprisings first there in Minneapolis, then spreading to other major urban centers like New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, in addition to major cities in North and South Carolina.
Ironically, Durham, Rocky Mount and Wilmington had peaceful demonstrations in memoriam to George Floyd.
In the aftermath of the devastating uprisings across North Carolina over the weekend, leader spoke out, urging all angered by the killing of George Floyd, to respect his memory, and for an end to police violence against black people.
“My people,” admonished Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman, president of the NC NAACP. “It is imperative that you see the hand of white supremacy capitalizing on George Floyd's painful death to ignite your anger and lure you into more riotous conduct and loss of life. Turn your pain into gain. Don’t get baited and berated!
Spearman was alluding to reports of many white supremacists coming in from out-of-state, in several instances, going with demonstrators, and ignited the violence and looting, fueling racial tension.
After Charlotte and Mecklenburg County were place under a state of emergency for the second time in four years last weekend, Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC-12) said, “"The reason we are here is because of modern-day lynchings – the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, and others – and the failure of individuals within police departments across the country to value Black lives.”
Congresswoman Adams added, “"In this moment, we must be the spark that ignites justice, but we cannot light a fire so hot that it consumes us as well.”
Irv Joyner, professor of law at North Carolina Central university in Durham, and chairman of the NC NAACP Legal Redress Committee, lamented that another black life had been taken at the hands of law enforcement.
“George Floyd did not get the benefit of that respect of his humanity,” Prof. Joyner said in a statement. “Even if he intently attempted to pass counterfeit money, he did not commit an offense worthy of the death penalty. The law simply does not allow police officers to determine that a person is guilty of a crime and then to execute him or her. The law does not give them that authority and power; when the officer abuse the limited authority which they possess, they should be held accountable. In the past, this accountability has not occurred.”
Rev. Dr. William Barber, co-convener of the Poor People’s Campaign, and president of Repairers of the Breach, issued “A Pastoral Letter to the Nation,” Sunday, saying in part, “Protesters are right to decry such brutal and inhumane treatment as racism.
“Thank God people are in the streets, refusing to accept what has been seen as normal for far too long,” Barber said. “What a shame it would be if this nation could watch a policeman murder another human being, then pose like a hunter with his prey while his colleagues looked on, and there not be protest, anguish, anger, outrage and moral disruption.”
Black police chiefs and sheriffs across North Carolina have condemned the killing of George Floyd, as have many elected officials.
Interim Wilmington Police Dept. Chief Donnie Williams decried what he saw on the video of George Floyd's death, and Brunswick County NAACP President Carl Parker issued a statement praising Sheriff Ingram, the NC Sheriff's Association, and local police chiefs for "speaking out against the conduct of the Minneapolis Police in the killing of George Floyd.
The Minneapolis police officer who allegedly killed George Floyd has been fired, along with three other officers on the scene who stood and did nothing. The officer has been charged with three-degree murder and secondly-degree manslaughter. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a former congressman, has taken over the prosecution.
During a press conference on Sunday, Gov. Roy Cooper said he spoke to the sister of George Floyd, who lives in Hoke County.
Published reports say George Floyd was born in Fayetteville, but raised in Houston, Texas.
Published reports say George Floyd was born in Fayetteville, but raised in Houston, Texas.
“While I cannot bring her brother back, I can work for justice in his name. I assured her that’s what we would do,”the governor said, adding that he would be sending 450 members of the National Guard into Raleigh, Greensboro, Fayetteville and Charlotte to maintain peace, and enforce curfews.
“People are more important than property. ... black lives do matter,” he said.
A memorial service for George Floyd, 46, will be held in Raeford on Saturday, June 6th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., along with a public viewing, at the Cape Fear Conference B Headquarters, 10225 Fayetteville Road., followed by a private, family-only funeral service. -30-
A memorial service for George Floyd, 46, will be held in Raeford on Saturday, June 6th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., along with a public viewing, at the Cape Fear Conference B Headquarters, 10225 Fayetteville Road., followed by a private, family-only funeral service. -30-
BRUNSWICK COUNTY BRANCH NAACP EXPRESSES SINCERE APPRECIATION TO BRUNSWICK COUNTY SHERIFF INGRAM, NORTH CAROLINA SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION AND LOCAL POLICECHIEFS FOR SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE CONDU T OF THE MINNEAPOTIS POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS IN THE KILLING
OF GEORGE FLOYD.
Mr. Carl Parker, President of the Erunswick County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), expressed his sincere appreciation to Brunswick County 5heriff John lngram, the North Carolina Sheriff's Association, and all of the local police chiefs for speaking out against what they realize as wrongful conduct by police officers that failed to serve their community.
Parker pointed out, "lt has hoppened far too mony times oll qround the county ond sodly here in our locol orea, How can we rebuild human lives lost? . . . . How do we rebuild trust in those thorged to prctect usfrom injustice and racioldisuiminotion? Eecause God didn,t create us without calor, we trust our palice to protect and defend the rights of oll of our citizens regardless af colar."
He continue d, "When Gad delivers babies to us, they are not fitled with hatred or racism. . . . this is taught ta them' We need to rethink whot lessons we teach our children so when they grow up they can be responsible, productive ond nurturing citizens of o healthy, civilizect society. We awe that to sne onother. That is our basic responsibility ta one another os human beings."
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OF GEORGE FLOYD.
Mr. Carl Parker, President of the Erunswick County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), expressed his sincere appreciation to Brunswick County 5heriff John lngram, the North Carolina Sheriff's Association, and all of the local police chiefs for speaking out against what they realize as wrongful conduct by police officers that failed to serve their community.
Parker pointed out, "lt has hoppened far too mony times oll qround the county ond sodly here in our locol orea, How can we rebuild human lives lost? . . . . How do we rebuild trust in those thorged to prctect usfrom injustice and racioldisuiminotion? Eecause God didn,t create us without calor, we trust our palice to protect and defend the rights of oll of our citizens regardless af colar."
He continue d, "When Gad delivers babies to us, they are not fitled with hatred or racism. . . . this is taught ta them' We need to rethink whot lessons we teach our children so when they grow up they can be responsible, productive ond nurturing citizens of o healthy, civilizect society. We awe that to sne onother. That is our basic responsibility ta one another os human beings."
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REV. DR. JONATHAN AUGUSTINE
WEEKS AFTER COURT RULING
BLACK PASTORS STILL ABIDE
BY COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
As cities across North Carolina were entrenched in turmoil this past Saturday evening in protest of the killing of George Floyd, there was nothing many black pastors wanted to do more than to preach about in their respective churches Sunday morning.
As social media starkly revealed, their communities, their congregations, the people they regularly minister to, were in pain, and needed to hear the Word.
But despite the fact that a federal judge’s May 16th order now allows North Carolina churches to conduct indoor services unrestricted by Gov. Roy Cooper’s COVID-19 mandate limiting gatherings to just ten - something that several white churches filed suit over and Republican leaders supported - many African -American pastors across the state are still abiding by Gov. Cooper’s mandate in order to keep their predominately black congregations safe from contracting the coronavirus.
“I write this open letter, as a religious leader and former law professor, sharing my sincere concern for how the church’s longstanding racial and socioeconomic divisions have once again manifest within partisan politics,” Rev. Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine, national chaplain, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and senior pastor , St. Joseph A.M.E. Church in Durham.
“These racial and socioeconomic divisions have created false narratives that embolden certain conservative and majority white, evangelical faith groups to publicly support positions adversely affecting minority communities.”
“Accordingly, considering the empirical data revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the African-American community, I write to: (1) debunk the politicization of well-reasoned, governmental shelter-in-order orders; and (2) urge members of populations that are disproportionately vulnerable to refrain from mass, in-person gatherings, including worship experiences, at the current time.”
Rev. Augustine is not alone in his pronouncement, many faith leaders across the state echo the view.
The Greensboro Faith Leaders Council also offered a statement decrying reopening for in-person worship.
As Jewish, Muslim and Christian Faith Leaders in Greensboro and Guilford [counties], we area are of the very real suffering that the COVID-19 virus is causing in our community, our nation, and our world. Based on the central teachings of our faith traditions, and the most reliable science, we will wait a while longer to gather for face-to-face, and we encourage other faith communities to do so as well.”
Rev. Dr. William Barber, national social justice leader, and pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, railed when President Trump declared that he wanted the nation’s churches open for Memorial Day weekend.
“Trump doesn’t get to tell the Church what’s essential,” Rev. Barber said on Twitter May 22. “Buildings are not more important than people doing the will of the Lord.”
There were many black pastors across the country who disagreed.
According to the website “Church Leaders,” ‘The leadership of the Church of God in Christ, a predominately African-American denomination, has been hit particularly hard by COVID-19.” Reportedly, “… up to 30 leaders in the church, including two out of 12 board members, have passed away from complications from the coronavirus.”
There are reports across the nation of other churches who defied shelter restrictions, or refusing the option of holding outdoor services with congregants in their cars, holding in-person services, and spreading the virus mostly older attendees, several of whom have died.
Many black pastors have said that’s a risk they want to avoid, have have instead gone to online social media (Facebook) or telephonic ministry to keep in spiritual contact with their church families.
“The ongoing pandemic has forced us all to adopt “new norms,” Rev. Augustine wrote. “Rather than place faithful parishioners in potential danger, I encourage clergy leaders and concerned citizens to use alternative options, including free technological advancements made available to everyone through social media.
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