2021: A Year in Review
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Criminal Justice

Joint Letter from N.C. Faith Leaders to N.C. Elected Leaders
Joint Letter from N.C. Faith Leaders to N.C. Elected Leaders
Jul 1, 2020
North Carolina Council of Churches

Joint Letter from N.C. Faith Leaders to N.C. Elected Leaders

The leaders of the denominational members of the North Carolina Council of Churches have sent a… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – April 29, 2019
Raleigh Report – April 29, 2019
Apr 29, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – April 29, 2019

Introduced Bills CRIMINAL JUSTICE HB 834 – Ban the Box would prohibit the state from asking… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – April 22, 2019
Raleigh Report – April 22, 2019
Apr 22, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – April 22, 2019

INTRODUCED BILLS CRIMINAL JUSTICEHB 781 – Limitations on Use of Solitary Confinementactually contains several items related… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – April 5, 2019
Raleigh Report – April 5, 2019
Apr 5, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – April 5, 2019

INTRODUCED BILLS CRIMINAL JUSTICE/PRISON REFORM HB 460/SB 545 – Fair Chance Hiring would require state agencies… Continue Reading

Critical Issues Seminar: The Wisdom of Women
Critical Issues Seminar: The Wisdom of Women
Mar 22, 2018
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Critical Issues Seminar: The Wisdom of Women

2018 is shaping up to the be the Year of the Woman. From the halls of… Continue Reading

On the Hot Seat, Where She Belongs
On the Hot Seat, Where She Belongs
Mar 19, 2018
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

On the Hot Seat, Where She Belongs

Ordinary Americans – those of us not allowed to know the secrets of high-level espionage work… Continue Reading

With Rights at Stake, Judges Stand Tall
With Rights at Stake, Judges Stand Tall
Feb 5, 2018
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

With Rights at Stake, Judges Stand Tall

The pattern has become familiar – and a welcome pattern it is, even if brought about… Continue Reading

N.C. Judges on Trial
N.C. Judges on Trial
Jan 4, 2018
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

N.C. Judges on Trial

Well, here we go again. If the Republican-led General Assembly in 2017 focused on trying to… Continue Reading

Defenders of Rights; Defenders of Privilege
Defenders of Rights; Defenders of Privilege
Sep 30, 2017
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Defenders of Rights; Defenders of Privilege

At many levels, Americans are confronting issues of race relations and racial justice with an intensity… Continue Reading

Time to Take a Knee
Time to Take a Knee
Sep 29, 2017
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Time to Take a Knee

It has been nearly fourteen months since Colin Kaepernick first knelt during the playing of the… Continue Reading

Rights Advocacy At Risk
Rights Advocacy At Risk
Aug 3, 2017
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Rights Advocacy At Risk

The optics, as they say, are terrible. But in a state whose motto is “To Be… Continue Reading

Police Brutality is not a Joking Matter
Police Brutality is not a Joking Matter
Aug 3, 2017
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Police Brutality is not a Joking Matter

By Andrew Hudgins, NCCC Program Associate for Operations, for The Resistance Prays News: In a speech… Continue Reading

Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on Guns
Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on Guns
May 30, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on Guns

As was feared, some members of the General Assembly may be bringing back legislation that would… Continue Reading

For Children, It’s Good News and Bad News from the GA
For Children, It’s Good News and Bad News from the GA
May 23, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For Children, It’s Good News and Bad News from the GA

Last week was a mixed bag for children and youth in terms of activity at the… Continue Reading

2017 Stand Up Sabbath — June 16-18
2017 Stand Up Sabbath — June 16-18
May 15, 2017
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

2017 Stand Up Sabbath — June 16-18

About this time two years ago, I accepted the offer to become the next Executive Director… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — May 10, 2017
Raleigh Report — May 10, 2017
May 11, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — May 10, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [For more information on bills, including committee referrals and re-referrals,… Continue Reading

Retiring Judge Stands Tall
Retiring Judge Stands Tall
Apr 27, 2017
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Retiring Judge Stands Tall

As Shakespeare’s King Lear famously put it, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — April 26, 2017
Raleigh Report — April 26, 2017
Apr 27, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — April 26, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [The deadlines for the introduction of most new bills have… Continue Reading

Guns on Campus Are a Bad Idea
Guns on Campus Are a Bad Idea
Apr 25, 2017
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Guns on Campus Are a Bad Idea

Two of the most volatile elements on a college campus are alcohol and hormones. These ingredients… Continue Reading

Faith Leaders: Make Yourselves Heard on Juvenile Justice
Faith Leaders: Make Yourselves Heard on Juvenile Justice
Apr 24, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Faith Leaders: Make Yourselves Heard on Juvenile Justice

A change in New York law earlier this month leaves North Carolina alone in a place… Continue Reading

SB 145 Debate Not in Accordance with Matthew 25
SB 145 Debate Not in Accordance with Matthew 25
Apr 18, 2017
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

SB 145 Debate Not in Accordance with Matthew 25

Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee of the North Carolina General Assembly discussed SB 145, an… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017
Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017
Apr 17, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES H 540, Teachers &… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017
Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017
Apr 10, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Bills are being introduced at a rapid pace as the… Continue Reading

Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’
Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’
Apr 8, 2017
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’

Our national politics are in an ugly place, driven by an accelerating cycle of suspicion, accusation,… Continue Reading

GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!
GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!
Mar 24, 2017
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!

They might not care for the image, but Republican members of the N.C. General Assembly act… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017
Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017
Mar 14, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE H 233, Ban… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — March 7, 2017
Raleigh Report — March 7, 2017
Mar 7, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — March 7, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES S 147, Reenact School… Continue Reading

Whispers and Shouts
Whispers and Shouts
Feb 11, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Whispers and Shouts

Sometimes God whispers. Whether through hymns or homilies or kids dancing their way down the aisle… Continue Reading

Big Stakes in High Court Pick
Big Stakes in High Court Pick
Feb 1, 2017
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Big Stakes in High Court Pick

Compared with some of the provocatively, even outrageously unsuited people whom President Trump has chosen for… Continue Reading

Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long Haul
Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long Haul
Jan 27, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long Haul

Our friend Rob Schofield over at Policy Watch wrote a column on Tuesday that was as… Continue Reading

Let’s Keep Marching
Let’s Keep Marching
Jan 23, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Let’s Keep Marching

At another time in my life, I would not have spent most of Saturday occupying my… Continue Reading

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees
Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees
Jan 10, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees

Groups at the state and national level continue to mobilize around concerns about President-Elect Donald Trump’s… Continue Reading

Advent Guide Focuses on Peace
Advent Guide Focuses on Peace
Nov 10, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Advent Guide Focuses on Peace

The NC Council of Churches has never taken peace for granted. Indeed, along with our work… Continue Reading

Speak Peace
Speak Peace
Sep 25, 2016
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Speak Peace

Remarks delivered on September 21 by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a press conference marking the… Continue Reading

North Carolina Passes a Decade with No Executions
North Carolina Passes a Decade with No Executions
Aug 18, 2016
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

North Carolina Passes a Decade with No Executions

Many in our state are celebrating 10 years of no executions and putting out a call… Continue Reading

Gun Violence Prevention: New Web Page, Stand Up Sabbath
Gun Violence Prevention: New Web Page, Stand Up Sabbath
Jun 1, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Gun Violence Prevention: New Web Page, Stand Up Sabbath

NC advocates in orange at the General Assembly last year. Photo provided by Beth Messersmith, NC Campaign… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report: Weekly Update, May 25, 2016
Raleigh Report: Weekly Update, May 25, 2016
May 25, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report: Weekly Update, May 25, 2016

The update is compiled on a volunteer basis by George Reed, the Council’s retired executive director.… Continue Reading

2016 Critical Issues Seminar — Register for Workshops
2016 Critical Issues Seminar — Register for Workshops
Apr 5, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

2016 Critical Issues Seminar — Register for Workshops

Registration for 2016 Critical Issues Seminar workshops is now available online. If you have not yet… Continue Reading

Signs of Hope After Easter
Signs of Hope After Easter
Apr 3, 2016
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Signs of Hope After Easter

I do not believe that I am the only one who feels a little hopeless right… Continue Reading

Legislators’ High-Court Switcheroo
Legislators’ High-Court Switcheroo
Feb 29, 2016
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Legislators’ High-Court Switcheroo

After a five-year exercise in seeking to put a lasting stamp on North Carolina government and… Continue Reading

Critical Issues Seminar — Registration Now Open
Critical Issues Seminar — Registration Now Open
Feb 9, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Critical Issues Seminar — Registration Now Open

Join us for the Council’s 2016 Critical Issues Seminar, focused on Race, Power, and Privilege, on… Continue Reading

Tenth Annual HKonJ is February 13
Tenth Annual HKonJ is February 13
Feb 6, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Tenth Annual HKonJ is February 13

Join the NAACP, NC Council of Churches, and other coalition partners for the Tenth Annual Moral… Continue Reading

2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding
2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding
Dec 31, 2015
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding

For those of us who want to see North Carolina governed with the interests of all… Continue Reading

Interfaith Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend, December 10-14
Interfaith Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend, December 10-14
Nov 23, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Interfaith Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend, December 10-14

Faiths United Against Gun Violence and Washington National Cathedral are working together to have congregations and… Continue Reading

What Does it Mean to Wear Ashes in Protest?
What Does it Mean to Wear Ashes in Protest?
Feb 24, 2015
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

What Does it Mean to Wear Ashes in Protest?

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent. In liturgical churches, it begins… Continue Reading

Council Post-Election Road Shows to Charlotte and Asheville
Council Post-Election Road Shows to Charlotte and Asheville
Nov 7, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Council Post-Election Road Shows to Charlotte and Asheville

What do Tuesday’s elections mean for North Carolina? How can people of faith in the state… Continue Reading

Judgeships Crowd Ballot with Bubbles
Judgeships Crowd Ballot with Bubbles
Oct 24, 2014
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Judgeships Crowd Ballot with Bubbles

For people who enjoy voting, North Carolina’s upcoming election promises to be a real treat. Federal,… Continue Reading

From Broken Communities to Beloved Communities
From Broken Communities to Beloved Communities
Aug 22, 2014
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

From Broken Communities to Beloved Communities

The recent trial of Alamance County Sheriff Andrew Johnson has focused on alleged profiling abuses against… Continue Reading

Theological Conference on Public Policy — April 12
Theological Conference on Public Policy — April 12
Mar 20, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Theological Conference on Public Policy — April 12

The call to people of faith through Moral Mondays continues to be felt. On April 12,… Continue Reading

Worship Resources on the Death Penalty
Worship Resources on the Death Penalty
Mar 19, 2014
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Worship Resources on the Death Penalty

Date: Good Friday – Apr. 18, 2014
Topic: The Death Penalty
Focus Text: John 18:1-19:42
Because Christians have come to understand the cross as a rich symbol of all that God has accomplished in Jesus it is sometimes easy to forget that the symbol of our faith is (or was) also an instrument of torture and execution (it is certainly more than that, but not less). The details of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion are a reminder that Jesus did in fact receive a form of capital punishment. As ethicist Glen Stassen writes, “Christians who remember that their Lord was unjustly and cruelly given the death penalty have a hard time being enthusiastic about imposing the death penalty on others.”

Worship Resources on Restorative Justice
Worship Resources on Restorative Justice
Mar 10, 2014
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Worship Resources on Restorative Justice

Date: 5th Sunday in Lent – Apr. 6, 2014
Topic: Restorative Justice
Focus Text: Psalm 130
If there were such a thing as a six o’clock news cast in the first century, Jesus the felon would appear walking down the street escorted by the police of his day—handcuffed—if you will. The announcer would tell us that the vandal who destroyed Temple property and repeatedly broke Jewish laws; the welfare king who relied on the generosity of unsuspecting middle class women to promote his suspicious doctrine; the man known to frequent the establishments of tax collectors and prostitutes—and claimed to be God, had finally been apprehended and was awaiting sentencing. Yes, in the minds of this first century felon’s accusers, he was little more than a common criminal.

Photos from HKonJ 2014
Photos from HKonJ 2014
Feb 22, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Photos from HKonJ 2014

The Council helped organize a Service of Repentance and Consecration in front of the General Assembly Building prior… Continue Reading

HKonJ 2014 — Moral March and People’s Assembly
HKonJ 2014 — Moral March and People’s Assembly
Feb 8, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

HKonJ 2014 — Moral March and People’s Assembly

A cross-section of North Carolinians and progressives from other states flooded downtown Raleigh on Saturday as part… Continue Reading

Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday
Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday
Feb 6, 2014
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday

Join the NC NAACP, the North Carolina Council of Churches, and coalition partners for this weekend’s… Continue Reading

HKonJ 2014 — Saturday, February 8
HKonJ 2014 — Saturday, February 8
Jan 12, 2014
George Reed, Former Executive Director

HKonJ 2014 — Saturday, February 8

It’s now just four weeks until this year’s HKonJ People’s Assembly. There is nothing more important for… Continue Reading

The Liberal Protest that Would Shock the Right: Moral Monday
The Liberal Protest that Would Shock the Right: Moral Monday
Aug 4, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Liberal Protest that Would Shock the Right: Moral Monday

Salon

Every week prayers and gospel songs infuse the air and participants offer blessings to the latest batch of 100 or so activists entering the Raleigh General Assembly building to commit civil disobedience. If you’re not from here, it may all seem a little counter-intuitive: A movement for inclusive and just secular governance that is deeply inflected with Christian ethics and arguments.

Judges and Campaign Cash
Judges and Campaign Cash
Jun 19, 2013
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Judges and Campaign Cash

The law setting up the North Carolina Public Campaign Fund is clear about its goals. Chapter… Continue Reading

Moral Mondays Are Home-Grown
Moral Mondays Are Home-Grown
Jun 17, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Moral Mondays Are Home-Grown

“Outside agitators.” The very term reminds those of us of a certain age of the Civil… Continue Reading

Faith Leaders Voice Support for Moral Mondays
Faith Leaders Voice Support for Moral Mondays
Jun 11, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Faith Leaders Voice Support for Moral Mondays

Faith leaders from across the state and from different traditions continue to speak out in support… Continue Reading

Tax Cuts’ Painful Costs
Tax Cuts’ Painful Costs
Jun 8, 2013
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Tax Cuts’ Painful Costs

“Moral Monday” demonstrators at the General Assembly bring a wide range of grievances. They charge the… Continue Reading

NC NAACP Launches Statewide Tour
NC NAACP Launches Statewide Tour
May 29, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

NC NAACP Launches Statewide Tour

The North Carolina NAACP, building on four weeks of Moral Monday demonstrations, has launched a 25-city… Continue Reading

Jailhouse Justice
Jailhouse Justice
May 28, 2013
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Jailhouse Justice

For all the Christian emphasis on forgiveness and redemption, many if not most churchgoers likely are… Continue Reading

Moral Mondays Continue in June
Moral Mondays Continue in June
May 25, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Moral Mondays Continue in June

Moral Mondays continue (though they will take the day off on Memorial Day). This week’s protest… Continue Reading

Moral Mondays – Clergy Issued Special Invitation for May 20
Moral Mondays – Clergy Issued Special Invitation for May 20
May 15, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Moral Mondays – Clergy Issued Special Invitation for May 20

As many of you already know, Rev. William Barber and the state NAACP are organizing weekly… Continue Reading

Deadlines Pass – Raleigh Report April 22, 2013
Deadlines Pass – Raleigh Report April 22, 2013
Apr 22, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Deadlines Pass – Raleigh Report April 22, 2013

With the passage of deadlines for the introduction of most bills, there’s been a flurry of new legislation. This issue of Raleigh Report will cover some of these new bills, with others to come in the next issue.

Execution Foes at Legislature
Execution Foes at Legislature
Apr 9, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Execution Foes at Legislature

A misguided push in the General Assembly to get capital punishment back on track is generating… Continue Reading

Interfaith Call-in Day to Prevent Gun Violence April 9
Interfaith Call-in Day to Prevent Gun Violence April 9
Apr 8, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Interfaith Call-in Day to Prevent Gun Violence April 9

The National Council of Churches, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and others are sponsoring an… Continue Reading

U.S. Senate Expected to Take Up Gun Legislation
U.S. Senate Expected to Take Up Gun Legislation
Apr 2, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

U.S. Senate Expected to Take Up Gun Legislation

Next week, the United States Senate is expected to take up legislation intended to curb gun… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – February 25, 2013
Raleigh Report – February 25, 2013
Feb 25, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – February 25, 2013

Attacks on Struggling North Carolinians Advance Medicaid Coverage Unemployment Insurance Earned Income Tax Credit Fracking Moratorium… Continue Reading

Program and Registration for 2013 Legislative Seminar
Program and Registration for 2013 Legislative Seminar
Feb 18, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Program and Registration for 2013 Legislative Seminar

If you are interested in attending, but have not pre-registered, you may call our office at… Continue Reading

Interfaith Call-In Day to Prevent Gun Violence Feb. 4
Interfaith Call-In Day to Prevent Gun Violence Feb. 4
Jan 28, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Interfaith Call-In Day to Prevent Gun Violence Feb. 4

Gun violence has long been an issue of concern for the North Carolina Council of Churches.… Continue Reading

2012 A Victory for NC and for PFADP
2012 A Victory for NC and for PFADP
Dec 7, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

2012 A Victory for NC and for PFADP

For the first time in the modern era, no one was sentenced to death in North… Continue Reading

Immigrants are Big Business for Private Prison Companies
Immigrants are Big Business for Private Prison Companies
Oct 2, 2012
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Immigrants are Big Business for Private Prison Companies

Did you know that the detention of immigrants is big business? Over the last several years we’ve witnessed the disturbing trend of private, for-profit prison corporations benefitting from new anti-immigrant laws. These prisons operate like hotels, where each and every bed that is filled provides profits for the company. Every empty bed, on the other hand, costs money. These companies have a financial incentive to detain as many immigrants as possible, and they have poured millions of dollars into lobbying efforts ensuring maximum profits.

A Bad Day for Veto Overrides
A Bad Day for Veto Overrides
Jul 3, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A Bad Day for Veto Overrides

The General Assembly on 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 not in doubt in the Senate. In fact, several Senate Democrats had excused absences and didn’t even show up for the votes. The drama was in the House.

Racial Justice Act Supporters Push to Sustain Veto of New Bill
Racial Justice Act Supporters Push to Sustain Veto of New Bill
Jul 2, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Racial Justice Act Supporters Push to Sustain Veto of New Bill

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 the state House of Representatives.

The goal is to persuade the representatives to sustain the governor’s Thursday veto of the legislature’s overhaul of the Racial Justice Act.

Help Sustain the Governor’s Veto of the Gutted Racial Justice Act
Help Sustain the Governor’s Veto of the Gutted Racial Justice Act
Jun 29, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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… Continue Reading

Help Needed to Fight Repeal of the Racial Justice Act
Help Needed to Fight Repeal of the Racial Justice Act
Jun 26, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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.… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — House Votes to Gut Racial Justice Act
Raleigh Report — House Votes to Gut Racial Justice Act
Jun 15, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report: Racial Justice Act Veto Override and Lobby Day to Stop Fracking Bill
Raleigh Report: Racial Justice Act Veto Override and Lobby Day to Stop Fracking Bill
Jun 4, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report: Racial Justice Act Veto Override and Lobby Day to Stop Fracking Bill

Two time-sensitive issues for advocates: 1) A vote to override the Governor’s veto of the Racial… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – June 1, 2012
Raleigh Report – June 1, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Raleigh Report – June 1, 2012

The General Assembly leadership is committed to having this short session truly be short, and there’s talk of adjourning by early July. In fact, an adjournment resolution was introduced yesterday with a target date of June 19. This session, which starts in May of even-numbered years, is primarily to tweak the second year of the budget adopted the year before. In addition, certain bills which were introduced last year (mostly ones which passed in one house) can be considered. For a new bill to be introduced this year, it must fit into one of a few specific categories, with most new bills having to do with budgetary matters or coming from a study commission which met during the interim. Finally, pending veto overrides are also thought by the House and Senate leadership to be eligible for consideration.


Also in this Raleigh Report: Guns in Church, Gambling, Death Penalty, Boards and Commissions and more.

Ruling on Lead NC Racial Justice Act Case
Ruling on Lead NC Racial Justice Act Case
Apr 20, 2012
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

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… Continue Reading

3rd National Restorative Justice Conference
3rd National Restorative Justice Conference
Jun 3, 2011
David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

3rd National Restorative Justice Conference

The Third National Conference on Restorative Justice will bring together academics, community leaders, educators, faith leaders,… Continue Reading

Truth to Power
Truth to Power
May 25, 2011
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Truth to Power

The seven individuals who were arrested at the General Assembly on Tuesday showed great courage and… Continue Reading

Why I Am in Jail
Why I Am in Jail
May 24, 2011
David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

Why I Am in Jail

As I write this note, it is 12:30PM and I’m sitting comfortably in my office at… Continue Reading

Moving Backwards and Playing Games
Moving Backwards and Playing Games
May 24, 2011
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Moving Backwards and Playing Games

At a recent House judiciary committee focused on legislation to do away with the 2009 Racial… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – May 20, 2011
Raleigh Report – May 20, 2011
May 24, 2011
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Raleigh Report – May 20, 2011

The focus of this issue is a handful of the most important items currently under consideration at the General Assembly. These are issues that are under challenge by the current majorities in both houses.

Emergency Call to Action from Rev. William Barber
Emergency Call to Action from Rev. William Barber
May 12, 2011
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Emergency Call to Action from Rev. William Barber

Rev. William Barber, president of the NC NAACP, organizer of the HKonJ movement (of which the NC… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – April 26, 2011
Raleigh Report – April 26, 2011
Apr 28, 2011
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Raleigh Report – April 26, 2011

State Deadline Passes and Most New Bills Introduced

Raleigh Report – April 19, 2011
Raleigh Report – April 19, 2011
Apr 20, 2011
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Raleigh Report – April 19, 2011

New Bills Edition: Attack on Workers Comp by New Bill H 709/S 544 misnamed Protect and Put NC Back to Work.

Raleigh Report – March 21, 2011
Raleigh Report – March 21, 2011
Mar 23, 2011
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

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, and taxes.

Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year A
Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year A
Mar 10, 2011
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year A

If there were such a thing as a six o’clock news cast in the first century, Jesus the felon would appear walking down the street escorted by the police of his day—handcuffed—if you will. The announcer would tell us that the vandal who destroyed Temple property and repeatedly broke Jewish laws; the welfare king who relied on the generosity of unsuspecting middle class women to promote his suspicious doctrine; the man known to frequent the establishments of tax collectors and prostitutes—and claimed to be God, had finally been apprehended and was awaiting sentencing. Yes, in the minds of this first century felon’s accusers, he was little more than a common criminal.

Sojourners Blog on Anti-Torture Conference
Sojourners Blog on Anti-Torture Conference
Feb 18, 2011
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Sojourners Blog on Anti-Torture Conference

Sojourners, a leading publication on the intersection of faith, politics and culture, ran a Feb. 16… Continue Reading

A Great Day at HKonJ
A Great Day at HKonJ
Feb 14, 2011
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

A Great Day at HKonJ

There was a great turnout for Saturday’s HKonJ5. Thanks to all of you who attended and marched.

Watch video of HKonJ here.

Affirming NC’s Public Investments — An Opportunity for Action
Affirming NC’s Public Investments — An Opportunity for Action
Feb 4, 2011
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Affirming NC’s Public Investments — An Opportunity for Action

The North Carolina Council of Churches is a member of the Together NC Coalition. In light… Continue Reading

Anti-Torture Conference
Anti-Torture Conference
Jan 24, 2011
David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

Anti-Torture Conference

Torture conference logoOn March 25 and 26, 2011, the Duke University Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina will be hosting a conference on torture. This two-day event aims to equip participants to understand the arguments against torture and to prepare them for anti-torture advocacy within their own communities, trusting that the greatest protection against the U.S. government’s use of torture is a shared understanding that torture is always wrong.

Race and the Death Penalty In NC
Race and the Death Penalty In NC
Apr 16, 2001
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Race and the Death Penalty In NC

This is a preliminary report concerning a new study of capital punishment in the State of North Carolina that has been undertaken during the past nine months – the North Carolina Death Penalty Study 2001. It is the first major social scientific study of the death penalty conducted in North Carolina in over 20 years, and the first systematic look for patterns of racial discrimination in capital sentencing in the South employing data more recent than 1984. The report has been prepared by Dr. Robert Unah of the Department of Political Science of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with the assistance of Professor John Charles Boger of the UNC School of Law.

As we will elaborate below, the preliminary findings present clear and disturbing evidence that North Carolina’s capital system in the 1990s continues to exhibit patterns of racial discrimination that cannot be explained by any of the legitimate sentencing considerations that have been sanctioned by North Carolina’s legislative and judicial branches.

The Elephant in the Courtroom: Racism and Criminal Justice in NC
The Elephant in the Courtroom: Racism and Criminal Justice in NC
Mar 15, 2001
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

The Elephant in the Courtroom: Racism and Criminal Justice in NC

This curriculum builds on “The Elephant in the Courtroom: Racism and Criminal Justice in North Carolina,” a policy paper developed by the North Carolina Council of Churches’ 1999-2000 Task Group on Racism and Criminal Justice in North Carolina. The policy paper has been disseminated among policy makers, judges, prison officials, and the media. The Task Group holds, however, that needed change will not happen until ordinary citizens, informed by a sense of fairness as well as an understanding of the nature of community and the power of forgiveness, demand equity in the administration of justice in our country. The curriculum addresses itself to adult education groups in congregations and workshop leaders at ecumenical and denominational meetings. The packet is self-contained and requires only that the leader copy some of the individual readings for the number of participants at the session.

Resolution on the Death Penalty
Resolution on the Death Penalty
Apr 23, 1987
North Carolina Council of Churches

Resolution on the Death Penalty

Adopted by the House of Delegates, North Carolina Council of Churches, April 23, 1987 WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court… Continue Reading


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