Naacp of North Carolina

Racial Justice Act Becomes Law

Statement by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, at the Signing of the Racial Justice Act by Governor Perdue


We, the NAACP, stand here today to commend the sponsors of the Racial Justice Act (State) Rep. Larry Womble, (State) Rep. Earlene Parmon and (State) Senator Floyd McKissick and their stalwart commitment to the Racial Justice Act even when sometimes they were told to pull the bill or weaken it. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder to commend every advocate group and religious body who worked for years to see this law passed. We stand as the oldest largest civil rights organization in the state and country to commend Governor Perdue today for signing this act into law.

Today on August 11th, Alex Haley, the author of Roots was born. One of his famous quotes was “either we deal with reality or reality will deal with us.” This Racial Justice Act is not about trying to let criminals go as some have absurdly suggested. It does not open up old wounds for victims because both proponents and opponents support the Racial Justice Act as well as families who have been victims of horrendous murders. Anyone who uses this language to speak against the bill is wrongfully maligning a good piece of legislation which looks squarely at the reality and the empirical data which shows how race impacts the application of the death penalty.

Rev. Barber Speaks Out on Health Care Reform

At a "Health Care Can't Wait" rally in Raleigh on Aug. 29, NC NAACP President William Barber spoke out on the need for health care reform.