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Death Penalty

NC faith leaders ask Governor Cooper to commute sentences of death row inmates

· ABC 11

Nearly 300 faith leaders from around the state delivered a letter to Governor Roy Cooper asking him to commute the death sentences of all 137 people on North Carolina’s death row. North Carolina currently has 137 people on death row. The last execution was in 2006. Faith leaders gathered Friday at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church […]

NC faith leaders ask Governor Cooper to commute sentences of death row inmates

· ABC 11

Nearly 300 faith leaders from around the state delivered a letter to Governor Roy Cooper asking him to commute the death sentences of all 137 people on North Carolina’s death row. North Carolina currently has 137 people on death row. The last execution was in 2006. Faith leaders gathered Friday at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church […]

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A New Vision of Justice

By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland delivered the following remarks at a press conference on April 14, 2023, calling on Governor Roy Cooper to commute all death sentences in North Carolina. Click here to view the press conference. My name is Jennifer Copeland. I’m the Executive Director of the N.C. Council of Churches. I am joined today […]

A New Vision of Justice

by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland delivered the following remarks at a press conference on April 14, 2023, calling on Governor Roy Cooper to commute all death sentences in North Carolina. Click here to view the press conference. My name is Jennifer Copeland. I’m the Executive Director of the N.C. Council of Churches. I am joined today […]

Faith leaders call on NC governor for end of ‘racist and error-prone’ death penalty

· The News & Observer

During a time of major celebration for several world religions, nearly 300 faith leaders from around North Carolina are calling on Gov. Roy Cooper to end the death penalty. On Thursday, the North Carolina Council of Churches and the North Carolina Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty released a letter asking for Cooper to […]

Faith leaders call on NC governor for end of ‘racist and error-prone’ death penalty

· The News & Observer

During a time of major celebration for several world religions, nearly 300 faith leaders from around North Carolina are calling on Gov. Roy Cooper to end the death penalty. On Thursday, the North Carolina Council of Churches and the North Carolina Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty released a letter asking for Cooper to […]

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Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES H 540, Teachers & State Employees Pay Raise, would give annual raises of $2,400 to teachers and other state employees making less than $100,000/year. The bill would appropriate more than $700 million for the first year of these raises. Introduced by Reps. Malone […]

Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES H 540, Teachers & State Employees Pay Raise, would give annual raises of $2,400 to teachers and other state employees making less than $100,000/year. The bill would appropriate more than $700 million for the first year of these raises. Introduced by Reps. Malone […]

GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

They might not care for the image, but Republican members of the N.C. General Assembly act as though they were drunk with power. They have the votes not merely to set conservative policies on spending, taxes, education, health care, protection or misprotection of the environment — votes they’ve been only too happy to cast. They […]

GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

They might not care for the image, but Republican members of the N.C. General Assembly act as though they were drunk with power. They have the votes not merely to set conservative policies on spending, taxes, education, health care, protection or misprotection of the environment — votes they’ve been only too happy to cast. They […]

Big Stakes in High Court Pick

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Compared with some of the provocatively, even outrageously unsuited people whom President Trump has chosen for high office, Neil Gorsuch barely moves the needle. But that’s not to say Americans concerned about safeguarding the institutions of democracy should be heartened to see Gorsuch ascending to the U.S. Supreme Court, as almost assuredly he will. There […]

Big Stakes in High Court Pick

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Compared with some of the provocatively, even outrageously unsuited people whom President Trump has chosen for high office, Neil Gorsuch barely moves the needle. But that’s not to say Americans concerned about safeguarding the institutions of democracy should be heartened to see Gorsuch ascending to the U.S. Supreme Court, as almost assuredly he will. There […]

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Groups at the state and national level continue to mobilize around concerns about President-Elect Donald Trump’s stated policy objectives and choices for cabinet posts. The NC NAACP, Interfaith Power & Light, MomsRising, Faith in Public Life, and the National Council of Churches are just some of the organizations calling on people of conscience to speak […]

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Groups at the state and national level continue to mobilize around concerns about President-Elect Donald Trump’s stated policy objectives and choices for cabinet posts. The NC NAACP, Interfaith Power & Light, MomsRising, Faith in Public Life, and the National Council of Churches are just some of the organizations calling on people of conscience to speak […]

Advent Guide Focuses on Peace

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The NC Council of Churches has never taken peace for granted. Indeed, along with our work in opposition to violence, there has long been the recognition that peace manifests itself in many ways – in how we relate to one another, in the policies our elected officials put in place, in who has enough. For […]

Advent Guide Focuses on Peace

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The NC Council of Churches has never taken peace for granted. Indeed, along with our work in opposition to violence, there has long been the recognition that peace manifests itself in many ways – in how we relate to one another, in the policies our elected officials put in place, in who has enough. For […]

Separating Church and Hate Since 1935

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

We work toward a church that is all-loving. That’s what we’ve always done and that’s what we’re going to keep doing. Stay connected with the Council to learn about opportunities to welcome our immigrant sisters and brothers, care for creation, work for economic justice and voting rights, build toward Christian unity and interfaith understanding, teach […]

Separating Church and Hate Since 1935

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

We work toward a church that is all-loving. That’s what we’ve always done and that’s what we’re going to keep doing. Stay connected with the Council to learn about opportunities to welcome our immigrant sisters and brothers, care for creation, work for economic justice and voting rights, build toward Christian unity and interfaith understanding, teach […]

Speak Peace

By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Remarks delivered on September 21 by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a press conference marking the International Day of Peace. Words make a world. The words we use become embedded in the ways we think about the world around us. So, we have bullet points, target dates, and killer ideas. We shoot emails, fire off […]

Speak Peace

by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Remarks delivered on September 21 by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a press conference marking the International Day of Peace. Words make a world. The words we use become embedded in the ways we think about the world around us. So, we have bullet points, target dates, and killer ideas. We shoot emails, fire off […]

North Carolina Passes a Decade with No Executions

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Many in our state are celebrating 10 years of no executions and putting out a call for no more killings in our name.  Patrick O’Neil a leading abolitionist in our state has helped organize a service and vigil to commemorate 10 years of an execution-free North Carolina.  The service will begin at 7 PM on August 18th […]

North Carolina Passes a Decade with No Executions

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Many in our state are celebrating 10 years of no executions and putting out a call for no more killings in our name.  Patrick O’Neil a leading abolitionist in our state has helped organize a service and vigil to commemorate 10 years of an execution-free North Carolina.  The service will begin at 7 PM on August 18th […]

2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

For those of us who want to see North Carolina governed with the interests of all its residents in mind – not mainly the interests of the well-off and privileged — 2015 amounted to yet another slog down a disappointing path. It was the third full year since conservative Republicans completed their takeover of power […]

2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

For those of us who want to see North Carolina governed with the interests of all its residents in mind – not mainly the interests of the well-off and privileged — 2015 amounted to yet another slog down a disappointing path. It was the third full year since conservative Republicans completed their takeover of power […]

‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The senators and representatives who make up North Carolina’s General Assembly let their 2015 session run on far longer than it should have. Let’s be glad that the curtain has come down. There’s been enough damage. But as if our illustrious lawmakers wanted to give us the worst of both worlds, the session’s climactic phase […]

‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The senators and representatives who make up North Carolina’s General Assembly let their 2015 session run on far longer than it should have. Let’s be glad that the curtain has come down. There’s been enough damage. But as if our illustrious lawmakers wanted to give us the worst of both worlds, the session’s climactic phase […]

When Lawmakers Itch to Execute

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The last person to be put to death by the State of North Carolina – in other words, put to death on behalf of all of us who live here and choose the leaders who write our laws – was Samuel Flippen, 36, who was given a lethal injection at Central Prison in Raleigh at […]

When Lawmakers Itch to Execute

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The last person to be put to death by the State of North Carolina – in other words, put to death on behalf of all of us who live here and choose the leaders who write our laws – was Samuel Flippen, 36, who was given a lethal injection at Central Prison in Raleigh at […]

At the Legislature, a Fateful Crossing

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

With its self-imposed April 30 “crossover” deadline, the General Assembly can sidetrack bills that haven’t gained enough support to make them worth fussing with during the remainder of the legislative session. A bill that makes the deadline by gaining approval in either the state House or Senate stays alive – for better, or as happens […]

At the Legislature, a Fateful Crossing

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

With its self-imposed April 30 “crossover” deadline, the General Assembly can sidetrack bills that haven’t gained enough support to make them worth fussing with during the remainder of the legislative session. A bill that makes the deadline by gaining approval in either the state House or Senate stays alive – for better, or as happens […]

Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The Council of Churches’ Legislative Seminar – its top-profile public event of the year – is meant to inform, and it’s meant to inspire. We’re not too bashful to say that this year’s version, held on April 14 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary, succeeded on both counts. With the General Assembly moving into […]

Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The Council of Churches’ Legislative Seminar – its top-profile public event of the year – is meant to inform, and it’s meant to inspire. We’re not too bashful to say that this year’s version, held on April 14 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary, succeeded on both counts. With the General Assembly moving into […]

What Frightens Civitas?

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Apparently I scare Civitas. Maybe it’s my upbringing. I was raised by a single mom (my parents divorced when I was a toddler) who was fortunate to have a solid job with the federal government and a supportive family who were the safety net between us and poverty. We were lucky. Maybe it was my […]

What Frightens Civitas?

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Apparently I scare Civitas. Maybe it’s my upbringing. I was raised by a single mom (my parents divorced when I was a toddler) who was fortunate to have a solid job with the federal government and a supportive family who were the safety net between us and poverty. We were lucky. Maybe it was my […]

Worship Resources on the Death Penalty

By chris

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 the Death Penalty

by chris

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

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

It’s now just four weeks until this year’s HKonJ People’s Assembly. There is nothing more important for people of faith to do this winter as we work for prophetic social justice than to attend HKonJ and encourage  others to join us. Participants will assemble at Shaw University at 9:30 a.m. with the march set to begin at […]

HKonJ 2014 — Saturday, February 8

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

It’s now just four weeks until this year’s HKonJ People’s Assembly. There is nothing more important for people of faith to do this winter as we work for prophetic social justice than to attend HKonJ and encourage  others to join us. Participants will assemble at Shaw University at 9:30 a.m. with the march set to begin at […]

A Year of Setbacks, Pushbacks

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

At the close of a momentous year for politics and public policy in North Carolina – a year that challenged many people of faith to act on their beliefs — we again might find ourselves wondering whether things have to get worse before they can get better. That “things” got worse for many of the […]

A Year of Setbacks, Pushbacks

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

At the close of a momentous year for politics and public policy in North Carolina – a year that challenged many people of faith to act on their beliefs — we again might find ourselves wondering whether things have to get worse before they can get better. That “things” got worse for many of the […]

The Nation is Watching NC and Moral Mondays

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The impact of Moral Mondays continues to extend beyond North Carolina. Two recent articles and an editorial in “The New York Times” are reaching a national audience. One of the articles is by Peter Carman, pastor of Binkley Baptist Church, a Council member congregation. Alliance of Baptists: ‘Not One Step Back’: Moral Mondays in Raleigh, […]

The Nation is Watching NC and Moral Mondays

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The impact of Moral Mondays continues to extend beyond North Carolina. Two recent articles and an editorial in “The New York Times” are reaching a national audience. One of the articles is by Peter Carman, pastor of Binkley Baptist Church, a Council member congregation. Alliance of Baptists: ‘Not One Step Back’: Moral Mondays in Raleigh, […]

Moral Mondays Are Home-Grown

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

“Outside agitators.” The very term reminds those of us of a certain age of the Civil Rights Movement, when anybody coming from outside the South to suggest that the South’s segregation and treatment of African-American citizens was somehow un-American, un-constitutional, un-Christian. And they could be dismissed (or worse) because they were an “outsider.” So it […]

Moral Mondays Are Home-Grown

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

“Outside agitators.” The very term reminds those of us of a certain age of the Civil Rights Movement, when anybody coming from outside the South to suggest that the South’s segregation and treatment of African-American citizens was somehow un-American, un-constitutional, un-Christian. And they could be dismissed (or worse) because they were an “outsider.” So it […]

Faith Leaders Voice Support for Moral Mondays

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Faith leaders from across the state and from different traditions continue to speak out in support of Moral Mondays, the weekly NC NAACP-led demonstrations in Raleigh. Within days of each other, the heads of Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and United Methodist judicatories in North Carolina and seven Jewish leaders in the Triangle issued statements […]

Faith Leaders Voice Support for Moral Mondays

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Faith leaders from across the state and from different traditions continue to speak out in support of Moral Mondays, the weekly NC NAACP-led demonstrations in Raleigh. Within days of each other, the heads of Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and United Methodist judicatories in North Carolina and seven Jewish leaders in the Triangle issued statements […]

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

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

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

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

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

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

Call to Mobilize 1,000 Clergy

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A group of clergy members is working to mobilize 1,000 of their colleagues to gather at Raleigh’s Bicentennial Mall on Monday, June 10 at 5 p.m. and raise their voices against many of the policies of the North Carolina legislature. The group does not plan on entering the Legislative Building or on being arrested, but […]

Call to Mobilize 1,000 Clergy

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A group of clergy members is working to mobilize 1,000 of their colleagues to gather at Raleigh’s Bicentennial Mall on Monday, June 10 at 5 p.m. and raise their voices against many of the policies of the North Carolina legislature. The group does not plan on entering the Legislative Building or on being arrested, but […]

Racial Justice Revisited

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The death penalty is troubling on many levels. Among them: The public must bear the extraordinary costs associated with death penalty trials and appeals. The penalty’s effectiveness in deterring other murders is ambiguous at best. There is no margin for the kind of errors that can result in a wrongful conviction. But if capital punishment […]

Racial Justice Revisited

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The death penalty is troubling on many levels. Among them: The public must bear the extraordinary costs associated with death penalty trials and appeals. The penalty’s effectiveness in deterring other murders is ambiguous at best. There is no margin for the kind of errors that can result in a wrongful conviction. But if capital punishment […]

NC NAACP Launches Statewide Tour

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The North Carolina NAACP, building on four weeks of Moral Monday demonstrations, has launched a 25-city statewide tour reaching from Elizabeth City to Hendersonville. The Forward Together Movement Local Organizing Tour began May 28 in Raleigh and ends June 7 in Durham. It is intended to mobilize local communities against the direction the General Assembly […]

NC NAACP Launches Statewide Tour

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The North Carolina NAACP, building on four weeks of Moral Monday demonstrations, has launched a 25-city statewide tour reaching from Elizabeth City to Hendersonville. The Forward Together Movement Local Organizing Tour began May 28 in Raleigh and ends June 7 in Durham. It is intended to mobilize local communities against the direction the General Assembly […]

Moral Mondays Continue in June

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

Moral Mondays continue (though they will take the day off on Memorial Day). This week’s protest had the largest number of participants (around 600) and of people taking part in civil disobedience and being arrested (57). I saw a lot of Council folks there – current and past Board members, pastors of congregations (including Covenant […]

Moral Mondays Continue in June

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

Moral Mondays continue (though they will take the day off on Memorial Day). This week’s protest had the largest number of participants (around 600) and of people taking part in civil disobedience and being arrested (57). I saw a lot of Council folks there – current and past Board members, pastors of congregations (including Covenant […]

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

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

House Bills Senate Bills Notable Quotes Arizona-like Immigration Bill Introduced In the wake of failed attempts by Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform, states and localities have increased their own efforts to enforce current immigration laws and to implement new programs designed to reduce immigration. Many of these efforts have created a more hostile environment […]

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

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

House Bills Senate Bills Notable Quotes Arizona-like Immigration Bill Introduced In the wake of failed attempts by Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform, states and localities have increased their own efforts to enforce current immigration laws and to implement new programs designed to reduce immigration. Many of these efforts have created a more hostile environment […]

Free lectionary materials - Public Accountability

Execution Foes at Legislature

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A misguided push in the General Assembly to get capital punishment back on track is generating a well-deserved pushback. People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, a group that for years has helped focus the case against executions, is bringing religious leaders to the Legislative Building as the debate again heats up. PFADP got its […]

Execution Foes at Legislature

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A misguided push in the General Assembly to get capital punishment back on track is generating a well-deserved pushback. People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, a group that for years has helped focus the case against executions, is bringing religious leaders to the Legislative Building as the debate again heats up. PFADP got its […]

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

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

        Voter Suppression & Campaign Finance Other New Bills Commentary Tax Fairness Public Education Voting Rights Death Penalty Rush to the Right Continues From the first days of this legislative session, we’ve seen challenges to many advances our state has made in recent decades. It’s frustrating to watch the Council’s work for […]

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

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

        Voter Suppression & Campaign Finance Other New Bills Commentary Tax Fairness Public Education Voting Rights Death Penalty Rush to the Right Continues From the first days of this legislative session, we’ve seen challenges to many advances our state has made in recent decades. It’s frustrating to watch the Council’s work for […]

Bulletin Insert from PFADP

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our friends at People of Faith Against the Death Penalty have provided a bulletin insert for churches interested in helping work to repeal the death penalty. PFADP, which began as a program of the Council, has been a leader in this movement. There has not been an execution in North Carolina since 2006, and leadership by […]

Bulletin Insert from PFADP

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our friends at People of Faith Against the Death Penalty have provided a bulletin insert for churches interested in helping work to repeal the death penalty. PFADP, which began as a program of the Council, has been a leader in this movement. There has not been an execution in North Carolina since 2006, and leadership by […]

Program and Registration for 2013 Legislative Seminar

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

If you are interested in attending, but have not pre-registered, you may call our office at 919-828-6501 on Tuesday, April 9 until 5:00 p.m. Gene Nichol, Director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the UNC-CH School of Law will be the lunch speaker at this year’s Legislative Seminar.The day’s topic for Nichol, who […]

Program and Registration for 2013 Legislative Seminar

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

If you are interested in attending, but have not pre-registered, you may call our office at 919-828-6501 on Tuesday, April 9 until 5:00 p.m. Gene Nichol, Director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the UNC-CH School of Law will be the lunch speaker at this year’s Legislative Seminar.The day’s topic for Nichol, who […]

2012 A Victory for NC and for PFADP

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For the first time in the modern era, no one was sentenced to death in North Carolina during 2012. The milestone marks a victory for people throughout the state and for the organization People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, which began as a program of the North Carolina Council of Churches. As PFADP, which […]

2012 A Victory for NC and for PFADP

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For the first time in the modern era, no one was sentenced to death in North Carolina during 2012. The milestone marks a victory for people throughout the state and for the organization People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, which began as a program of the North Carolina Council of Churches. As PFADP, which […]

A Bad Day for Veto Overrides

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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.

A Bad Day for Veto Overrides

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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.

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

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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, […]

Help Sustain the Governor’s Veto of the Gutted Racial Justice Act

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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, […]

Help Needed to Fight Repeal of the Racial Justice Act

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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 below. The Governor’s veto could come at any time and the override vote could happen shortly thereafter, so please don’t delay in making these contacts, […]

Help Needed to Fight Repeal of the Racial Justice Act

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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 below. The Governor’s veto could come at any time and the override vote could happen shortly thereafter, so please don’t delay in making these contacts, […]

Raleigh Report — House Votes to Gut Racial Justice Act

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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 House stripped out the original content and replaced it with language limiting the use of statistical evidence to show racial bias in the death penalty. […]

Raleigh Report — House Votes to Gut Racial Justice Act

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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 House stripped out the original content and replaced it with language limiting the use of statistical evidence to show racial bias in the death penalty. […]

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

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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 […]

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

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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 […]

Raleigh Report – June 1, 2012

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

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.

Raleigh Report – June 1, 2012

by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

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

By chris

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 North Carolina. North Carolina Superior Court Judge Gregory Weeks found that prosecutors deliberately excluded qualified black jurors from jury service in death row inmate Marcus […]

Ruling on Lead NC Racial Justice Act Case

by chris

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 North Carolina. North Carolina Superior Court Judge Gregory Weeks found that prosecutors deliberately excluded qualified black jurors from jury service in death row inmate Marcus […]

Good News: Governor Perdue Vetoes Attack on Racial Justice Act

By chris

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 cases to introduce statistical evidence that racial bias affected their death sentence. It’s rebuttable evidence, which means that prosecutors could introduce evidence of their own, […]

Good News: Governor Perdue Vetoes Attack on Racial Justice Act

by chris

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 cases to introduce statistical evidence that racial bias affected their death sentence. It’s rebuttable evidence, which means that prosecutors could introduce evidence of their own, […]

NC Marks Five Years Without an Execution

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

People of Faith Against the Death Penalty notes an important milestone for the state today. It has been five years since North Carolina carried out an execution. The Council has long been committed to abolitioning the death penalty and even gave PFADP a start organizationally. What has been accomplished is extraordinary, but the work is not […]

NC Marks Five Years Without an Execution

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

People of Faith Against the Death Penalty notes an important milestone for the state today. It has been five years since North Carolina carried out an execution. The Council has long been committed to abolitioning the death penalty and even gave PFADP a start organizationally. What has been accomplished is extraordinary, but the work is not […]

Raleigh Report – June 21, 2011

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

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.

Raleigh Report – June 21, 2011

by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

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

By David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

The Third National Conference on Restorative Justice will bring together academics, community leaders, educators, faith leaders, judges, politicians, policy makers, practitioners and concerned community members to explore the use of restorative justice principles and practices.  This conference will have a particular focus on multi-cultural and indigenous communities. Speakers include Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Howard Zehr, John […]

3rd National Restorative Justice Conference

by David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

The Third National Conference on Restorative Justice will bring together academics, community leaders, educators, faith leaders, judges, politicians, policy makers, practitioners and concerned community members to explore the use of restorative justice principles and practices.  This conference will have a particular focus on multi-cultural and indigenous communities. Speakers include Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Howard Zehr, John […]

Why I Am in Jail

By David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

As I write this note, it is 12:30PM and I’m sitting comfortably in my office at the NC Council of Churches.  At 3PM, though, I will be in the gallery at the NC Legislature, and by late this afternoon I may find myself in jail. [Editor’s note: David was arrested on Tuesday around 4pm.] The […]

Why I Am in Jail

by David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

As I write this note, it is 12:30PM and I’m sitting comfortably in my office at the NC Council of Churches.  At 3PM, though, I will be in the gallery at the NC Legislature, and by late this afternoon I may find myself in jail. [Editor’s note: David was arrested on Tuesday around 4pm.] The […]

Raleigh Report – May 20, 2011

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

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 – May 20, 2011

by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

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

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

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.

Raleigh Report – March 21, 2011

by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

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

By chris

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.

Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year A

by chris

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

By chris

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

Watch video of HKonJ here.

A Great Day at HKonJ

by chris

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

By chris

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.

Race and the Death Penalty In NC

by chris

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

By chris

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.

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

by chris

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

By North Carolina Council of Churches

Adopted by the House of Delegates, North Carolina Council of Churches, April 23, 1987 WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday (April 22, 1987) by a 5 to 4 decision upheld as constitutional the Georgia State Court’s imposition of the death penalty in the McCleskey case, despite strong and convincing evidence demonstrated in the Baldue study that a criminal defendant […]

Resolution on the Death Penalty

by North Carolina Council of Churches

Adopted by the House of Delegates, North Carolina Council of Churches, April 23, 1987 WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday (April 22, 1987) by a 5 to 4 decision upheld as constitutional the Georgia State Court’s imposition of the death penalty in the McCleskey case, despite strong and convincing evidence demonstrated in the Baldue study that a criminal defendant […]