Immediate Release
19 December 2011
Contact: Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137
Mrs. Amina J. Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700
Atty. Al McSurely, Communications Chair, lawyers@mcsurely.com
WE HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO THIS SEASON
Statement of the NC NAACP State Conference
The North Carolina State Conference of over 120 Adult and Youth Branches is focused on its century-old mission to create a society of justice and opportunity often marred by injustice, racial inequality and oppression. In this season of peace and love, former Wake School Board Chairperson Ron Margiotta has attacked the Wake County District Attorney's office for suggesting mediation in the 18-month-old cases stemming from acts of conscience of 30 people. Mr. Margiotta has no authority over these matters.
Regardless of how the court adjudicates and the disposition of these cases, the NAACP and its allies have better things to do than respond to Mr. Margiotta's bitterness during this Christmas season.
We are continuing our work to push and fight for high-quality, constitutional, well-funded diverse public education across the state and nation.
We are hard at work defending voting rights standing for freedom, and ensuring that we expand participation in our democracy.
We are hard at work on our Annual No Room in the Inn Service on Christmas Eve Day, in solidarity with our Latino neighbors and friends.
We are hard at work on our Truth and Hope Poverty Tour to highlight the structural and exigent poverty that plagues much of our state.
We are hard at work with our allies to fight the far-right's cynical attempt to codify discrimination in the noble pages of our state constitution by attempting to roll back the rights of gay people and their children.
And we are hard at work mobilizing thousands for our 6th Annual Historic Thousands on Jones Street People's Assembly Coalition made up of more than 110 progressive organizations that will convene on February 11th, the 103rd birthday of the NAACP.
Sorry, Mr. Margiotta. We have better things to do than to dignify your attacks on the Wake County District Attorney.
The NAACP is here for the long haul. We work daily, on a volunteer basis, for all our children . . .for all the poor . . . for all the elderly and the sick and the hungry.
Furthermore, standing firmly on the legacy of those who have come before us, we will pray for Mr. Margiotta because we are instructed by the moral text of sacred scripture to pray even for those who attempt to malign or distort our work.
Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:11
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
We ask all our members and allies to pray for you and your family during these days of grace and redemption, and wish you and your family a season of love and joy.
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.
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