Showing results for racial justice act
The News & Observer Death penalty opponents and advocates of the state’s Racial Justice Act have embarked on an intense petition drive, letter-writing and email campaign, targeting five Democrats in […]
Help Sustain the Governor’s Veto of the Gutted Racial Justice Act
We applaud Governor Beverly Perdue for her veto of a rewritten Racial Justice Act that had been gutted of key provisions. The Council has long worked for fairness in our […]
Good News: Governor Perdue Vetoes Attack on Racial Justice Act
Late this morning, Governor Bev Perdue vetoed the bill which would have gutted the Racial Justice Act (RJA). The RJA is a two-year-old law which allows defendants in death penalty […]
Help Needed to Fight Repeal of the Racial Justice Act
The following is from the NC Coalition for a Moratorium and the Carolina Justice Policy Center. The fate of the Racial Justice Act probably rests with the three representatives listed […]
Raleigh Report — House Votes to Gut Racial Justice Act
The House of Representatives has voted 73-47 to gut the Racial Justice Act. The vote was on S 416, a bill originally about using tire retreads on school buses. The […]
Raleigh Report: Racial Justice Act Veto Override and Lobby Day to Stop Fracking Bill
[…] time-sensitive issues for advocates: 1) A vote to override the Governor’s veto of the Racial Justice Act could come up any time. 2) There is a lobby day tomorrow in […]
Ruling on Lead NC Racial Justice Act Case
The lead case applying the historic and ground-breaking NC Racial Justice Act (RJA) concluded today with a judicial finding of race discrimination in the operation of the death penalty in […]
Statement on Systemic Racism
[…] was founded in 1935, primarily for the purpose of addressing racial inequity and racial in justice, and Whereas our white founders soon recognized that racial equity and racial justice should […]
Racial Justice Act and Fracking — Make Your Voice Heard on Two Critical Issues
[…] likely to come up in this week. 1) The effort to gut the state’s Racial Justice Act, which permits those sentenced to death to use statistical evidence to show that race figured […]
No Justice No Peace: Confederate Monuments and the Fight for Racial Justice
[…] are today. Join us and the NC Commission on Racial & Ethnic Disparities in the Criminal Justice System (NC CRED) for a discussion with Dr. Karen L. Cox, author of No Common […]
About Acts of Faith
[…] pastors and other religious leaders offering lectionary-based worship aids focusing on themes of progressive social justice in North Carolina. Acts of Faith: Resources for Prophetic Worship addresses sixteen themes each […]
NC Faith Leaders Support DREAM Act
[…] their origins to Abraham (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) hold hospitality, care of the oppressed, and justice for all peoples as high values. We believe the decency of the American people […]
Racial Justice Revisited
[…] that principle. Four years ago, legislators took a bold step forward. They approved the Racial Justice Act, intended to minimize the chances that death penalty prosecutions and sentences could be […]
Public Education
[…] because the North Carolina Council of Churches has a long history of support for racial justice, we are recommitting to supporting a public school system that is built on racial […]
Thumbs Down on Racial Gerrymanders
[…] push is coming to shove. This time, the advantage lies with voting rights and social justice advocates who have sought to keep the state’s African-Americans from being used as pawns […]
Urgent Calls to North Carolina Senators Are Needed
Urgent calls to North Carolina senators are needed concerning the New START treaty, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act and the DREAM Act.
Moving Backwards and Playing Games
[…] a recent House judiciary committee focused on legislation to do away with the 2009 Racial Justice Act, Seth Edwards, president of the North Carolina Association of District Attorneys, insisted that […]
A Bad Day for Veto Overrides
[…] Monday overrode Governor Perdue’s vetoes of three bills. By doing so they gutted the Racial Justice Act, revised the budget for 2012-13, and moved ahead with fracking. The outcome was […]
Violence, Harassment, and Discrimination against Gay Men and Lesbians
Violence cannot be ignored by those who stand in the prophetic tradition of justice and peace and in the gospel tradition of Jesus Christ, who came “to set at liberty […]
Urgent Action Alert: Please Call Congress about Health Care
Our allies at the NC Justice Center have put out the following action alert about efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. As people of faith, we believe that we […]
The Path Toward Energy Justice: Creating a Climate for Change
[…] are creating immense opportunities for community engagement in helping shape our states’ energy futures. Environmental justice champion, Rev. Leo Woodberry is focusing on bringing people together to find common ground […]
Lectionary-Based Social Justice Worship Resources
[…] leaders as they seek to integrate the biblical theme of shalom and the language of justice into their communal life of worship. Acts of Faith addresses many different themes each […]
Community Organizations Collaborate to Educate the Public about the ACA
Adam Searing, Director of the NC Justice Center’s Health Access Coalition, describes one effort of the local community around Roanoke Rapids to educate their residents about the Affordable Care Act. The […]
In Celebration of the Life of Nelson Mandela
A giant for justice and a prophetic voice for his nation and our world. Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery […]
Why Acts of Faith is Important
[…] the world. The one thing I rarely heard preached on, however, was issues of social justice. And when preached on, it was through standard channels—witnessing/evangelism, donating food and clothing to […]
The Affordable Care Act’s Prognosis for Farmworkers
[…] some farmworkers, many more will be left behind. According to a detailed analysis by Farmworker Justice, undocumented farmworkers, who make up a majority of the U.S. farmworker population, will only […]
Lines of Influence: Justices Zap Voting Map
[…] district where the party already was successful while undermining them elsewhere. The ruling, written by Justice Elena Kagan, laid down a principle that should loom large in ongoing redistricting disputes. […]
North Carolina Redistricting on High Court’s Radar
[…] cohesive body politic in which all citizens are equal before the law.” Nicely put, Mr. Justice Scalia! Antonin Scalia is the US Supreme Court’s sharp-tongued scourge of all things perceived […]
Hard year’s signposts in quest for justice
[…] in Kenosha, Wisc., loomed large in a national reckoning across the spectrum of racial in justice. Yes, it was a reckoning that in many instances devolved from orderly mass protests […]
Lines in the Wind
[…] and priorities are of special concern to people who share the Council of Churches’ social justice vision. The General Assembly switched to Republican control in both the House and Senate […]
Bread: Embodying Justice
[…] the human body, the people who brought it to our tables…all of these elements are justice issues. While bread really only needs flour, yeast, water and salt, most commercial bread […]
Affordable Care Act
[…] on exploring the issue with your congregation. Read more on Medicaid Expansion from the NC Justice Center Have a look at five common questions answered around Medicaid expansion. New Resources/Nuevos […]
A Christian Perspective on Immigration
[…] Pullen, it does, however, have something to say about one of the most significant social justice issues of our day—that of immigration. As you well know, immigration and immigration reform […]
Peter Gets Religion
[…] conjunction with our lectionary-based worship resource Acts of Faith. We believe that issues of peace and justice can be expressed in the worship life of congregations, and we remain committed to […]
Raleigh Report – April 11, 2019
INTRODUCED BILLS CRIMINAL JUSTICE HB 587 – Repeal Death Penalty would abolish the death penalty, and all prisoners currently on Death Row would be resentenced to life imprisonment without parole. […]
Accountability, just the beginning
[…] was founded in 1935, primarily for the purpose of addressing racial inequity and racial in justice, and we strive to do so to this day. As people of faith, we […]
Statement on George Floyd Murder Trial Verdict
[…] was founded in 1935, primarily for the purpose of addressing racial inequity and racial in justice, and we strive to do so to this day. As people of faith, we […]
Tax Justice
[…] along with many of our member bodies, has long been concerned with questions of economic justice. Five years ago, our House of Delegates, concerned about the impact of budget cuts on […]
Jailhouse Justice
[…] innocence – which sometimes are well-founded, even after juries have returned verdicts of guilty? Criminal justice becomes justice in name only when sentences are excessive, when conditions of confinement are […]
Election Law’s Racial Twist
[…] are tilted against the interests of a group that’s identifiable by race, larger issues of justice come into play. That’s especially so in a state and country where discrimination against […]
Raleigh Report – February 26, 2019
INTRODUCED BILLS ECONOMIC JUSTICE HB 46 – Economic Security Act of 2019 HB 46 is a collection of issues long of concern to workers and worker advocates. Specific provisions would: […]
How the “SAFE Act” Threatens Our Communities
[…] 21st Century. The SAFE Act is not the right bill for this moment. Click here to send a message to your Representative. Infographic by the National Immigrant Justice Center Enforcement infographic
Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause
[…] North Carolinians. That’s in keeping with the Council’s commitment to advancing the cause of social justice in its many forms. Faith connections The seminar was bookended with two services in […]
Youth Leaders Initative
[…] mission is to empower youth climate leaders of faith & spirituality to head the climate justice movement by engaging in energy efficiency, sustainable living, creation care practices, and advocacy as […]
ACA Offers Real Answers
[…] In a Point of View column for Saturday’s News & Observer, Adam Searing of the N.C. Justice Center describes the difference ACA can make in people’s lives. He writes about a […]
Increased Costs in NC Under Health Care Repeal
[…] the plan to appeal the Affordable Care Act as early as this week, the NC Justice Center has released a series of fact sheets that show the financial impact on […]
Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day
The Council’s commitment to health care as a basic justice issue dates back decades. Significant progress toward health care for all was made with the Affordable Care Act, progress toward […]
Compassion Makes Good ‘Cents’ — It’s Affordable
Our faiths call us to work for justice and show compassion for the “least of these.” Justice issues can also make such good economic sense that we cannot afford not […]
“None of These Diseases” – Faith, Justice, and God’s Desire for Healthy Community
[…] the story of Moses and the Israelites speaks to God’s concern for community health and justice. Indeed, following the destruction of Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea, we find that […]
ACA Open Enrollment Kicks Off November 15 — Events Planned Statewide
[…] 15, 2015. The Council has a long history of supporting universal health care as a justice issue As people of faith, we believe that all our brothers and sisters deserve […]
The ACA Remains in Place; 2017 Open Enrollment ends January 31
[…] Care Act is still in place for 2017, and as our friends at the NC Justice Center remind us, nothing has changed for this year. Plans, prices, deadlines, and requirements […]
Revised Health Care Bill, Same Devastating Effects
[…] Better Care Reconciliation Act. According to a report from our friends at the North Carolina Justice Center the changes, and their effects, include: Allowing consumers to use health savings accounts […]
Statement on the Supreme Court’s ACA Decision
[…] goal, it has proved to be a crucial step forward. We are grateful to the justices of the Supreme Court who have upheld the subsidy guaranteeing 6.4 million Americans — […]
Eat as an Act of Worship this Holiday Season
[…] three Abrahamic faiths – Islam, Judaism and Christianity – addressed issues of hunger and food justice. An Imam shared that his faith tradition teaches him to eat what comes from […]
Raleigh Report – March 21, 2011
New bills on the budget, care of creation, criminal justice, election and campaign law, gambling, guns, health and health care, immigration, mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse services, public eduction, […]
Raleigh Report – April 4, 2011
[…] tough year for those of us who have advocated for public policy decisions promoting social justice, protecting vulnerable people, and caring for God’s creation. We can’t respond to every bad […]
High Court’s Double-Take on Districts
[…] declined to consider a challenge to the redistricting plans brought by civil rights and social justice advocates. If that’s what had happened, the challenge would be dead. So, we can […]
Called to Protect & Preserve
[…] the Brooks-Howell Retirement Community this Earth Day, April 22, via Zoom by NCIPL & Eco- Justice Connection Program Coordinator, Sarah Ogletree. In the Garden of Eden, at the place where […]
As We Enter A New Year
[…] be fortified and renewed. The environment in which we will be doing our work for justice and peace in the coming New Year has changed. Legislatively, it will be a […]
2011 Legislative Seminar
Protecting the Common Good Let justice roll down like waters… Amos 5:24 Additional information is now available about the Council’s Legislative Seminar taking place on April 5. You can still […]
Raleigh Report – March 11, 2019
[…] Sen. J. Davis (R-Franklin). Not yet referred in the House; referred to Senate Rules. ECONOMIC JUSTICE SB 137 – Economic Security Act. Similar to HB 46 (see RR, February 25), […]
A Year of Setbacks, Pushbacks
[…] to opportunity for all the state’s young people, regardless of family circumstances – a social justice issue that’s an urgent priority for groups such as the NC Council of Churches. […]
King’s Voice for Voters
[…] Conference dramatized the link between the drive for civil rights and the scriptural call for justice. White Americans were challenged to stop treating their black fellow citizens as inferior not […]
Voter Suppression Gets a Pass
[…] there’s no reason to get all upset about a little inconvenience. Civil rights and social justice groups have led the charge against a raft of provisions that clearly weigh more […]
Raleigh Report – April 5, 2019
INTRODUCED BILLS CRIMINAL JUSTICE/PRISON REFORM HB 460/SB 545 – Fair Chance Hiring would require state agencies to reduce barriers to hiring people with a criminal history. Specific provisions include: Prohibits […]
Index by Scripture
GENESIS Genesis 9:8-17; Care of Creation (Lent 1, Year B) RUTH Ruth 1:1-18; Justice for Immigrants (Proper 26, Year B) PSALMS Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Public Accountability (Epiphany Sunday, Year A) […]
Preparing the Way: Let the Oppressed Go Free
From Chapter 5 of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season of Lent […]
Ending Hunger Through Bread for the World
[…] complete my Masters of Social Work degree that health and the availability of nutritious food are justice issues with global proportions. Having just completed an extensive research project about international food […]
UPDATE: Trumpcare Just Got Worse — Call Before Today’s Vote
[…] expected today, and your voice is needed more than ever. As our friends at the Justice Center explain below, we need you to call your representative in Congress today. Republican […]
On Gerrymandering, High Court Looks to States
You have to wonder: What would U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. tell that proud North Carolina gerrymanderer David Lewis if they ever came face to face, just the two […]
2013 Legislative Seminar
[…] From the powerful and prophetic speakers to the opportunity for 200 faithful advocates for social justice to be together, we appreciate your participation. Over the next several weeks, we will […]
Listen, But Don’t Emulate
[…] conjunction with our lectionary-based worship resource Acts of Faith. We believe that issues of peace and justice can be expressed in the worship life of congregations, and we remain committed to […]
The role of the church in modern politics and social change
[…] structure with four walls and a pulpit. Instead, we must take our message of hope, justice, unity and peace to the wider community, and, yes, even Capitol Hill! I believe […]
Voices of Moral Mondays: What Does the Lord Require of You by Ron LaRocque
[…] the Lord require of you,” and then immediately answers that question saying, “but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” I went to […]
Raleigh Report – April 29, 2019
Introduced Bills CRIMINAL JUSTICE HB 834 – Ban the Box would prohibit the state from asking a job applicant about his/her criminal history until that applicant had been selected for […]
Peace
[…] leverage the reputation of the NC Council of Churches to actively support Black-led movements for justice, to connect activism and justice concerns in our churches, and to move them in […]
About
The North Carolina Council of Churches educates, inspires, and mobilizes faith communities to advocate for justice. The Heart of the Work Council Hymn Our Mission We enable denominations, congregations, and […]
Raleigh Report June 12 Update
[…] property sold or leased for purposes of fracking. It appropriates $25,000 to the Department of Justice to study the extent and nature of existing contracts that are declared void by […]
Raleigh Report – February 1, 2013
[…] The following information about HB 4 is from Bill Rowe, General Counsel for the NC Justice Center. You may be surprised to know… • There are 3 unemployed workers for […]
Preparing the Way: Caring for Creation – A Lenten “Carbon Fast”
From Chapter 2 of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season of Lent […]
Preparing the Way: Blessed Are the Peacemakers
From the Easter Sunday chapter of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season […]
Trapped in the Coverage Gap
[…] expansion, along with broader access to affordable health care in general, as a core social justice issue. Hospitals on the edge The state’s hospitals, especially those that count on a […]
Supporting a Sustainable Race Workshop
A Sustainable Race: Opening New Streams of Justice in our Environmental and Food Systems will be held September 16-17 2016 at the Franklinton Center at Bricks in Whitakers, NC. Hanging […]
Update: Save Our Health Care Rallies Statewide on January 15
[…] encourage them to support the ACA. A little background from our friends at the NC Justice Center and the National Health Law Program: The Senate may vote as soon as […]
‘For the People’ – or for whom?
[…] as dangerous levels of voter participation. Dangerous to Republicans, that is. The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, which tracks these matters, says that as of Feb. 19, […]
Christian Unity
[…] with other faith-based and secular organizations who share our concern for issues of peace and justice. We believe our shared faithful call to social justice is stronger than our differences, […]
Important Budget Alert
[…] For more information, see the “Senate Budget” article below, excerpted from our colleagues at the NC Justice Center, and the two linked articles which follow it. So the decision on this terrible […]
Preparing the Way: Who Is Our Neighbor?
From Chapter 3 of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season of Lent […]
NC Legislators Can Reconsider and Expand Medicaid
[…] Dozier, Assistant Project Director of the Health Access Coalition and Senior Litigation Paralegal at NC Justice Center, notes that “the Bible tells us to be openhanded, not tightfisted, and not […]
The Council Welcomes Your Support
[…] the support of faithful individuals who share in our commitment to prophetic vision of social justice. With our fall appeal underway, Executive Director George Reed’s message to Council friends is […]
Health, Wholeness, and Climate Change?
[…] North Carolina Council of Churches, is designed to bridge issues of faith, health and social justice.” These are the words that you find on our website that explain why we […]
GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!
[…] to follow the party line. So much for the hallowed concept of judicial independence, of justice dispensed without fear or favor. Here, though, is a grand irony that could be […]
Raleigh Report — March 26, 2017
[…] Sens. Tillman (R-Archdale), Brock (R-Mocksville), and Tucker (R-Waxhaw). Referred to Senate Rules. CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE H 409, State Agencies/Adjust Hiring Practices, is intended to reduce barriers to employment for […]
Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’
[…] accusation, blame, recrimination and retaliation. The circumstances by which Neil Gorsuch takes office as a justice of the Supreme Court sadly fit the mold – to the U.S. Senate’s discredit […]
The Commission Came to Town
[…] in Raleigh to hear testimony about obstacles to voter access. Notably, former NC Supreme Court Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson serves as Vice Chair of this commission. Experts from all over the […]
Confronting North Carolina’s Role in Torture
[…] a new peace initiative, N.C. No Torture, to encourage people of faith and seekers of justice to step into the role of “The Good Samaritan.” When Jesus told the […]
2021 Lenten Guide- Easter Sunday
[…] to Peter, all the prophets told Israel what to look for—look for peace; look for justice; look for righteousness. The faithful watch and wait for hundreds of years, probably 500 […]
Project Coordinator: Overdose Response and HIV Education
[…] progressive activism, the North Carolina Council of Churches remains the leading faith-based ecumenical voice for justice advocacy in North Carolina. We are particularly concerned about issues related to health care, […]
Raleigh Report: June 17, 2013
[…] THE PETITION: Don’t Push North Carolina’s Unemployed Workers over the Unemployment Cliff (from the NC Justice Center) http://action.ncjustice.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/index?action_KEY=11221&start=375 TAKE ACTION! Write a Letter to the Editor TODAY about the budget […]