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Death Penalty

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

GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!
GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!
Mar 24, 2017
Steve Ford, 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

Big Stakes in High Court Pick
Big Stakes in High Court Pick
Feb 1, 2017
Steve Ford, 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

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

Separating Church and Hate Since 1935
Separating Church and Hate Since 1935
Nov 9, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Separating Church and Hate Since 1935

We work toward a church that is all-loving. That’s what we’ve always done and that’s what… 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

2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding
2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding
Dec 31, 2015
Steve Ford, 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

‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!
‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!
Oct 3, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!

The senators and representatives who make up North Carolina’s General Assembly let their 2015 session run… Continue Reading

When Lawmakers Itch to Execute
When Lawmakers Itch to Execute
May 7, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

When Lawmakers Itch to Execute

The last person to be put to death by the State of North Carolina – in… Continue Reading

At the Legislature, a Fateful Crossing
At the Legislature, a Fateful Crossing
Apr 30, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

At the Legislature, a Fateful Crossing

With its self-imposed April 30 “crossover” deadline, the General Assembly can sidetrack bills that haven’t gained… Continue Reading

Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause
Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause
Apr 18, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause

The Council of Churches’ Legislative Seminar – its top-profile public event of the year – is… Continue Reading

What Frightens Civitas?
What Frightens Civitas?
Jan 28, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

What Frightens Civitas?

Apparently I scare Civitas. Maybe it’s my upbringing. I was raised by a single mom (my… 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.”

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

A Year of Setbacks, Pushbacks
A Year of Setbacks, Pushbacks
Dec 29, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

A Year of Setbacks, Pushbacks

At the close of a momentous year for politics and public policy in North Carolina –… Continue Reading

The Nation is Watching NC and Moral Mondays
The Nation is Watching NC and Moral Mondays
Jul 12, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Nation is Watching NC and Moral Mondays

The impact of Moral Mondays continues to extend beyond North Carolina. Two recent articles and an… 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

Budget and Taxes Move Front and Center: Raleigh Report, June 7, 2013
Budget and Taxes Move Front and Center: Raleigh Report, June 7, 2013
Jun 7, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Budget and Taxes Move Front and Center: Raleigh Report, June 7, 2013

A brief summary of significant points in the Senate budget with additional commentary by Steve Ford.

Call to Mobilize 1,000 Clergy
Call to Mobilize 1,000 Clergy
Jun 1, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Call to Mobilize 1,000 Clergy

A group of clergy members is working to mobilize 1,000 of their colleagues to gather at… Continue Reading

Racial Justice Revisited
Racial Justice Revisited
May 31, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Racial Justice Revisited

The death penalty is troubling on many levels. Among them: The public must bear the extraordinary… 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

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

Arizona-like Immigration Bill Introduced: Raleigh Report, May 3, 2013
Arizona-like Immigration Bill Introduced: Raleigh Report, May 3, 2013
May 6, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Arizona-like Immigration Bill Introduced: Raleigh Report, May 3, 2013

House Bills Senate Bills Notable Quotes Arizona-like Immigration Bill Introduced In the wake of failed attempts… Continue Reading

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

Rush to the Right Continues (Raleigh Report, April 5, 2013)
Rush to the Right Continues (Raleigh Report, April 5, 2013)
Apr 6, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Rush to the Right Continues (Raleigh Report, April 5, 2013)

        Voter Suppression & Campaign Finance Other New Bills Commentary Tax Fairness Public… Continue Reading

Bulletin Insert from PFADP
Bulletin Insert from PFADP
Feb 21, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Bulletin Insert from PFADP

Our friends at People of Faith Against the Death Penalty have provided a bulletin insert for churches… 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

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

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

Good News: Governor Perdue Vetoes Attack on Racial Justice Act
Good News: Governor Perdue Vetoes Attack on Racial Justice Act
Dec 14, 2011
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

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… Continue Reading

NC Marks Five Years Without an Execution
NC Marks Five Years Without an Execution
Aug 16, 2011
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

NC Marks Five Years Without an Execution

People of Faith Against the Death Penalty notes an important milestone for the state today. It has… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – June 21, 2011
Raleigh Report – June 21, 2011
Jun 23, 2011
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Raleigh Report – June 21, 2011

The 2011 session of the General Assembly adjourned around midday on Saturday, June 18. Legislative leaders and the media are trumpeting the efficiency of the session and the fact that this is the earliest adjournment since 1973. But that is misleading since they aren’t really finished with their work. The adjournment resolution calls them back into a special session on July 13. At that time, they will take up the thorny issue of redistricting as well as controversial bills from the just-ended session which remain in conference committees and any bills vetoed by the Governor.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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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