Naacp of North Carolina

NC Senate Politics Kills Racial Justice Act for 2008; Battle Will Continue in 2009

This press release comes from the offices of By Rep. Larry Womble – NC House District 71 and Rep. Earline Parmon – NC House District 72

For two years, state legislators, lobbyists and numerous organizations have fought tirelessly to diminish racial disparities in capital sentencing through a bill known as the North Carolina Racial Justice Act.  While the bill passed the North Carolina House in May 2007 primarily down party lines, the bill sat dormant in the North Carolina Senate as senators placed politics over ensuring that the shade of a person’s skin does not influence a sentence of death over life. 

Compassion for Death Row Inmates and Their Families

Working with NC People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, NC NAACP President William Barber spoke at an interfaith service and supper in Raleigh for the families and friends of NC's death row inmates. About 100 people attended. He argued that people who do not share his fierce opposition to the death penalty should extend mercy to family members, who are also "innocent victims."

"As a pastor, I have worked with families on both sides of this terrible issue," Barber said, according to The News and Observer. "Love and compassion cannot be one-sided, we must offer it to everyone who is in pain and needs support."

Read "A Service for Those Left Behind: Families of the Condemned Meet," the full story at the N&O web site .