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 criminal justice system and the RJA currently in effect is a much-needed step in that direction. Racial bias has no place in our judicial system, especially in matters of life and death.
Our work is not done, however, as a vote to override the Governor’s veto could come at any time.
The veto override will probably be determined by three House Democrats who voted to preserve the Racial Justice Act last year but have now sided with those who say that 20 years of discrimination against African American jurors is not enough to demonstrate racial discrimination in death penalty cases. Those representatives need to hear from you with a request that they help sustain the Governor’s veto.
Email Rep. Brisson, Rep. Hill, and Rep. Owens, and ask them to once again support the elimination of racial bias in death penalty cases by voting to sustain the veto of S 416.
You could also thank the Governor for her veto. governor.office@nc.gov or 919-733-4240.
–George Reed, Executive Director
Leave a Reply