Two 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 opposition to fracking. We will send more information on fracking, including other related bills, later in the week. If you cannot attend the lobby day, note the suggestion below of calling your senator and representative tomorrow.
Racial Justice Act Veto Override
Raleigh Report members worked tirelessly for the passage of the Racial Justice Act, which allows defendants in death penalty cases to introduce statistical evidence of racial bias. Last year, Governor Perdue vetoed a bill which would have negated the RJA. The Senate has overridden the veto but, so far, the House has not had the required 3/5 vote for an override. House leaders have put the RJA back on the calendar and could bring it for an override vote at any time they have the necessary votes.
One RJA challenge to a death sentence has gone to trial. The judge in that case found that race had been a significant factor in the sentence and changed the death penalty to a sentence of life in prison without parole. So the RJA is being used, and it has already revealed one instance of racial bias in death penalty sentencing.
Even if you’ve already contacted your Representative about the Racial Justice Act, please do so again now.
To find out who your state representative is, click here. Once you know who your representative is, you can find phone numbers and e-mail addresses here: NC House
Lobby Day to Stop Fracking Bill, Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Pre-lobby briefing starts promptly at 10:00 am at the Marbles Kids Museum (Venture Hall in IMAX Building, follow signs), 201 Hargett St., Raleigh Please allow 20 minutes for parking.
Before you come:
- Look up the names of your NC senator and representative. You’re encouraged to call your senator and representative beforehand to set up an appointment or at least let them know you’re coming.
- E-mail your own group contact (see list below) or katie@cwfnc.org to let us know how many people are coming with your group.
Legislative Briefing: 10:00-11:15, Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh (Directions: Marbles Website or Google Maps)
- Meet the rest of your lobbying team
- Find out tips for lobbying effectively
- Hear “talking points” on fracking’s impacts and pending legislation
Travel to the NC Legislature to Meet with Decision-Makers: 11:20, finish no later than 2:00
- Short walk together to the Legislative Building
- Meet with your legislators
- Leave by 2:00, unless you wish to stay and watch the House in session
- Phone in the results of your meeting to your group contact
To join a carpool from your area, contact:
Western NC: Katie Hicks, Clean Water for NC, 828-251-1291, katie@cwfnc.org
Anson Co.: Denise Lee, Anson Co. W.A.L.L., 704-826-6324, ansoncountyswall@yahoo.com
Charlotte area: Jenny Marienau, 350.org, 678-492-8100, Jenny@350.org
Stokes Co.: Dan Wolber, No Fracking in Stokes, 336-813-0205, donwoppa@aol.com / Linda Hicks, 336-427-3320, lhallhicks@aol.com
Rockingham County: Jesse Epperson 336-908-2176, jepperson@hughes.net
Chatham/Guilford/Rockingham/Alamance/Durham/Orange Cos., Elaine Chiosso, Haw Riverkeeper, 919 542-5790, info@hawriver.org
Moore Co.: Ruth Stolting, Save Our Sandhills, 910-235-3861
Chatham Co.: Deep River Clean Water Society, deeprivercleanwater@gmail.com
Triangle area WILPF: Lib Hutchby, Triangle Branch of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, 919-606-8280, libhutchby@earthlink.net
Lenoir/Johnston/Craven/Wayne Cos.: Alissa Bierma, Neuse Riverkeeper, 919-856-1180, alissa@neuseriver.org
Statewide groups: Blue Ridge Envr. Defense League: Therese Vick, 919-345-3673, therese.vick@gmail.com ~ Food & Water Watch: Renee Maas, 919-593-7752, rmaas@fwwatch.org ~ Clean Water for NC: Maribel Sierra, maribel@cwfnc.org, NC Sierra Club- Travis Hargett 919.833.8467 travis.hargett@sierraclub.org
If you can’t make it in person, please call your senator and representative and let them know that North Carolina should maintain the de facto ban on fracking until and unless it can be proven to be safe. Your legislators’ contact info can be found here, or you can call the operator at the General Assembly (919 713-7928) and ask to be connected if you know who represents you.
Also, please sign the online petition here.
–George Reed, Executive Director
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