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A
B
C
Thank
you
so
much
dr
fox
good
morning.
Everyone,
my
name,
is
kiana,
I'm
a
justice,
fellow
with
equal
justice
initiative,
and
I,
along
with
my
colleagues,
theon
and
kayla,
are
really
pleased
to
be
here
with
you
all
today
to
join
you
in
dedicating
these
three
very
important
and
permanent
educational
tools
in
the
community.
C
The
equal
justice
initiative
is
a
human
rights
organization
dedicated
to
ending
mass
incarceration
and
challenging
racial
and
economic
injustice
in
our
society.
We
were
originally
founded
in
1989
when
our
executive,
director
attorney
brian
stevenson,
came
to
montgomery
alabama,
where
we're
based
to
defend
people
on
alabama's
death
row
we're
an
anti-death
penalty
organization.
We
believe
that
capital
punishment
should
not
exist,
especially
given
the
racially
discriminatory
ways
in
which
it
has
been
administered
both
historically
and
today.
C
So
after
about
20
years
of
doing
this
work,
we
realized
that,
in
order
to
effectively
address
the
racial
and
economic
injustices,
we're
seeing
with
our
clients
and
within
the
context
of
the
criminal
legal
system
that
we
were
actually
going
to
have
to
take
a
step
back
and
do
a
deeper
dive
into
our
nation's
history
of
racial
injustice,
because
because
we
believe
the
challenges
that
we're
seeing
in
the
criminal
legal
system
are
deeply
rooted
in
this
history.
And
so
in
2008
we
started
a
public
history
initiative.
C
The
national
memorial
for
peace
and
justice
stands
in
memory
of
the
over
4
400
victims,
black
victims
of
racial
terror,
lynching
between
the
end
of
reconstruction
in
1877
and
1950,
and
the
legacy
museum
traces,
the
history
of
enslavement,
all
the
way
to
present
day
mass
incarceration.
So
I'm
going
to
hand
it
over
to
kayla
to
talk
a
little
bit
more
about
this
history.
D
My
name
is
kayla
vinson
and
I'm
a
staff
attorney
at
the
equal
justice
initiative,
and
I
just
want
to
talk
a
little
bit
more
about
what
my
colleague
keanu
was
just
saying
about
the
fact
that
eji
didn't
come
to
this
work
as
public
historians,
but
rather
as
legal
advocates,
who
had
already
spent
two
decades
trying
to
help
courts
and
other
actors
in
the
criminal
justice
system
understand
how
the
outcomes
that
our
clients
were
facing
were
really
about
that
race
and
wealth
were
really
impacting
those
outcomes,
and
it
just
became
clear
to
us
that
part
of
the
problem
was
that,
as
a
nation
people
were
didn't
know
this
history
and
people
were
too
comfortable
with
the
really
intolerable
and
inhumane
things
that
our
clients
face
on
a
daily
basis.
D
That
means
we
have
to
also
have
a
commitment
to
ending
the
era
of
mass
incarceration,
because
today,
in
the
state
of
north
carolina,
it
is
still
possible
for
a
person
to
be
sentenced
to
death.
It
is
possible
for
a
child
as
young
as
six
to
enter
the
criminal
justice
system
and,
as
a
nation
we
have,
our
prison
population
has
blosso
has
grown
from
1972.
It
was
about
200
000
people.
Today
it
is
2.3
million.
If
you
include
people
who
are
on
probation
and
parole,
that
number
exceeds
7
million.
D
This
is
not
about
public
safety,
it
is
about
a
myth
of
black
dangerousness
that
turned
into
a
law
and
order
politics
that
today
is
preventing
us
from
being
safer.
So
for
people
who
wonder
and
would
like
to
believe
that,
had
they
been
alive
during
the
era
of
racial
terror,
lynching
that
they
would
have
been
insisting
that
it
ended,
they
would
have
been
with
ida
b
wells
barnett.
They
would
have
been
with
the
naacp
and
insisting
that
this
era
ends.
D
You
don't
have
to
wonder
what
you
would
have
done
if
you
lived
during
an
era
of
a
massive
racial
injustice,
because
you
currently
live
in
an
era
of
massive
racial
injustice.
So
the
answer
to
that
question
is
what
are
you
doing
today
and
we
believe
that
this
project
that
cion
is
going
to
talk
about
in
a
moment
is
a
really
important
step
to
really
beginning
that
process
of
repair
in
our
country.
E
Hello-
everyone
thank
you
for
being
here
with
us
today,
I'm
ceon
blackwell
and
I'm
a
justice
fellow
at
the
equal
justice
initiative.
I
just
thank
my
colleague
kayla
for
really
giving
you
all
that
invitation
to
join
this
work
and
to
really
come
and
join
us
in
this
work
of
fighting
fighting
racial
injustice
in
this
era,
and
so
I'm
just
going
to
talk
a
little
bit
about
the
community
remembrance
project,
which
you
are
here
today
for
in
buncombe
county
and
how
this
work
has
grown
nationally
from
the
equal
justice
initiative.
E
So
it's
one
of
our
core
beliefs
that
you
have
to
be
proximate
to
this
work.
You
have
to
be
proximate
to
the
issues
of
racial
injustice
and
inequality
in
order
to
make
real
change,
and
we
believe
that
when
we
were
doing
this
research
and
we
were
documenting
over
the
6
500
victims
of
racial
terror,
lynching.
We
realized
that
this
this
history
was
local.
It
was
happening
in
individual
communities
and
people
weren't
talking
about
it.
E
They
were
distancing
themselves
from
it
and
we
realized
that
this
is
something
that
is
crucial
for
communities
individually
to
recognize
just
right
here
in
buncombe
county.
You
have
three
documented
victims
and
we
really
appreciate
the
work
that
dr
foxx
and
dr
simmons
and
everyone
on
the
bunker
community
members
project
has
done
this
thus
far
to
recognize
these
victims.
They
have.
We
have
three
projects:
a
soil
collection
project,
the
racial
justice
essay
contest
and
the
historical
marker
ceremonies,
and
this
community
has
already
completed
the
soil
collection
project.
E
As
you
see
here,
the
three
jars
that
were
collected
back
in
may-
and
we
had
a
record
number
of
students,
participate
in
the
racial
justice
essay
contest
and
now,
for
all
of
you
being
here
today,
it's
so
wonderful
to
see
so
many
faces
here
to
recognize
these
men,
and
I
hope
you
go
on
the
journey
with
us
to
unveil
these
markers,
but
I
asked
of
you
all
to
think
about:
where
does
it
as
caleb
mentioned?
Where
do
you
go
next?
If
you
have
a
neighbor,
a
family
member
or
a
friend
who's?
E
Not
here
mention
these
men's
names
by
name
to
them.
Ask
them
what
do
they
know
these
stories?
Bring
them
to
these
markers,
make
sure
that
they
engage,
because
our
community
remembrance
work
is
a
long-term
commitment,
even
though
this
community
has
already
finished
the
three
projects
it
doesn't
end
here.
This
work
is
never
finished
because
we
are
currently
in
this
era
of
racial
injustice.
E
We
are
in
the
era
of
mass
incarceration,
and
so
I
just
ask
you
all
to
really
stay
engaged,
stay
involved
and
think
about
your
community
when
we're
doing
this
work
and
come
and
visit
us
in
montgomery,
as
well,
at
the
legacy
museum
for
massive
from
enslavement
to
mass
incarceration,
and
that's
the
national
memorial
for
peace
and
justice,
and
I
really
just
want
to
say
thank
you
again
for
being
here,
and
I
hope
that
you
really
reflect
on
this
history.
As
we
say
these
men's
names
today
and
we
go
to
these
markers.
E
So
thank
you
all
again
for
being
here.
B
And
again,
we
want
to
thank
you
three
for
the
hard
work
and
all
of
the
work
that
you've
done
with
us.
Our
work
could
not
have
been
completed
without
the
support
of
the
city
and
the
county.
I
know
that
I
saw
our
city
manager
deborah
campbell
there.
She
is
so
thank
you
for
being
here.
Do
we
have
any
other
local
officials
other
than
the
ones
that
are
on
the
stage
with
us.
B
And
at
this
time,
we're
going
to
have
greetings
from
our
own
mayor,
esther
mannheimer
from
the
city
of
asheville,
followed
by
welcome
from
the
chairman,
brownie
newman
of
our
county
commissioners.
F
I
just
have
to
say
before
I
make
my
remarks,
that
this
is
one
of
those
many
moments
that
I'm
proud
of
my
community.
You
all
showed
up
today
and
supporting
this
effort.
F
F
These
historical
markers
allow
us
to
acknowledge
these
racially
motivated
murders
and
honor.
Three
men,
specifically
bob
brackett
hezekiah
rankin
and
john
humphries,
whose
victim
who
were
victims
of
lynching
here
in
buncombe
county,
the
city
of
asheville,
is
committed
to
advancing
racial,
racial
equity
by
identifying
and
eliminating
root,
causes
of
racial
disparities
and
promoting
equitable
policies,
laws
and
actions.
F
F
The
commission
will
be
empowered
to
make
recommendations
to
the
city
council,
as
well
as
the
greater
community
toward
repairing
the
damage
caused
by
public
and
private
systemic
racism.
These
recommendations
are
anticipated
to
include
housing
opportunities,
economic
development,
public
health,
education,
public
safety
and
justice
for
the
black
community.
F
G
Hi
good
morning
and
welcome
my
name
is
brownie
newman
and
I
serve
as
chair
of
the
buncombe
county
commission
and
it's
an
honor
to
be
with
you
all
this
morning
I
did
see
a
few
of
our
other
county
commissioners
who
are
with
us
this
morning
and
county
officials
and
I'd
like
to
acknowledge
them.
I
apologize
if
I
miss
anyone,
but
I
saw
commissioner
terry
wells,
our
vice
chair,
commissioner,
al
whitesides,
amanda,
edwards
and
jasmine
beach
ferrara.
G
G
G
G
G
We
need
to
hear
all
of
these
stories
because
they
are
part
of
how
we
became
the
community
that
we
are
today
understanding.
Our
past
is
necessary
for
our
work
today
to
end
mass
incarceration,
to
create
a
more
fair
justice
system
and
to
repair
the
damage
done
to
minority
neighborhoods
families
and
businesses
through
housing,
discrimination
and
urban
renewal.
G
B
B
And
we
are
also,
we
have
two
individuals
from
bunken
county
shelf
department
working
with
us
today
with
security.
I
also
want
to
produce
a
couple
of
the
special
recognitions
before
we
move
on.
This
work
would
not
have
gotten
done
without
the
support
of
dr
orlean
simmons,
mr
ron
katz,
who
does
our
e-news
letter?
So
if
you're
not
getting
our
monthly
newsletter
ron
is
right
back
here,
he
will
be,
he
has
a
pad
and
he
will
be
happy
to
sign
you
up.
B
We
also
want
to
recognize
rebecca
brothers,
who
has
just
become
my
left
and
right
hand
person.
I
don't
know
what
I
would
have
done
without
her,
so
I
know
she's
shy,
but
I
have
to
give
you
a
shout
out.
Samantha
cole
was
our
chair
of
our
research
group
and
did
a
wonderful
job,
and
there
are
other
folks
that
you've
already
heard
mention
as
chairs
and
co-chairs
of
the
work
groups.
So
I'm
not
going
to
mention
them
at
this
time,
but
also
the
city,
employee,
employers,
employees,
excuse
me,
city,
employees,
ken
putman
and
chad.
B
Brandy
who
worked
with
us
around
logistics,
getting
the
markers
up.
They
were
out
yesterday
installing
the
markers,
so
we
are
really
thankful
to
them
and
aisha
adams
media
group
who
helped
promote
the
event.
I
also
want
to
recognize
our
steering
committee.
So
if
you
are
part
of
the
steering
committee,
would
you
just
wave
your
hand.
B
I
I
know
that
there
were
days
that
they
didn't
know
what
to
quite
think
of
me.
I,
when
we,
when
they
asked
me
to
kind
of
chair
the
committee
I
said.
Okay,
I
will
give
you
all
18
months
and
within
18
months.
This
is
what
we're
gonna
do,
and
somebody
reminded
me
this
morning
that
we're
at
18
months.
B
We've
also
heard
about
the
the
various
work
groups,
so
at
this
time
I
want
to
recognize
mr
eric
grant,
who
worked
with
our
essay
contest
with
including
kerry,
hampton
and
laura
parks,
and
they
did
outstanding
work
working
with
our
high
school
students.
So
I'm
gonna.
Let
eric
tell
you
more
about
that.
H
Good
morning,
what
an
honor
it
is
to
be
a
part
of
this
historic
event,
and
thank
you
all
for
coming
out
in
the
rain
to
be
a
part
of
this
as
well.
First
of
all,
I'd
like
to
thank
the
equal
justice
initiative,
dr
fox,
the
martin
luther
king,
jr
association,
asheville
city
schools
and
buncombe
county
schools
for
providing
this
authentic
opportunity
for
students
to
engage
in
such
meaningful
work.
As
you've
already
heard,
we
had
a
record
number
of
student
participants
to
write
in
the
essay
contest.
H
H
H
I'd
like
to
start
first
with
the
two
people
that
dr
fox
acknowledged
a
moment
ago,
carrie
hampton
from
north
buncombe
middle
school
several
years
ago,
when,
when
brian
stevenson
came
here,
carrie
chased
down
the
mayor
and
said
I
want
to
bring
those
markers
to
asheville
after
the
event,
and
so
she
was
a
big
part
of
getting
them
here.
So
it's
a
big
day,
I
know
for
her.
H
And
then
laura
parks
from
asheville
city
schools,
who
is
relatively
new
to
her
job
at
the
city,
schools,
and
I
called
her
and
said:
hey
do
you
want
to
be
a
part
of
this
and
she
jumped
right
on
board
and
really
helped
get
asheville
city
in
in
in
the
process
as
well?
H
So
thank
you
both
for
your
your
shared
leadership
in
this
end,
endeavor
again,
if
you're,
an
educator
and
and
are
here
today,
raise
your
hand
as
I
acknowledge
the
buncombe
county
teachers,
emily
gill
dean
preston,
david
kaler,
dan
clare,
rachel,
mckinley,
shelby,
lewis,
john
shupe,
laura
welsh,
susie,
pruitt
ben,
graham
joy,
keane,
frank
tayez,
aaron
meadows,
taylor,
redd
and
jeremy
bollock
and
our
asheville
city
school
teachers
include
ariel
robinson,
megan,
turk,
amanda
galvin,
neil
clement
will
smith
kim
adams
and
amy
weisner.
H
And
I
think
it's
important
in
these
relatively
charged
political
times
to
acknowledge
those
teachers
who
were
willing
to
engage
their
students
in
this
essay
contest.
So
that's
why
I
wanted
to
make
sure
all
those
teachers
who
were
part
of
that
committee
were
acknowledged
today
and
now
for
the
student
heroes
of
this
work.
Well,
I
will
read
aloud
the
names
of
the
top
six
place
winners.
I
would
like
to
thank
and
acknowledge
all
of
the
students
who
showed
the
bravery
and
strength
to
write
about
such
an
important
topic.
Thank
you
for
that.
H
H
Each
of
these
top
six
place,
winners
was
awarded
a
cash
prize
generously
provided
by
the
equal
justice
initiative
and
the
martin
luther
king
jr
association
of
asheville
and
buncombe
county,
as
were
many
of
our
honorable
mentions.
As
I
read
these
names,
you
will
note
several
ties
for
the
top
six
spots.
According
to
the
equal
justice
initiative,
the
overall
quality
of
the
essays
was
so
exceptional
that
they
had
a
very
difficult
time,
selecting
the
top
six
so
I'll
go
ahead
and
read
the
names
of
those
students
tied
for
sixth
place.
H
And
I've
asked
our
top
third,
our
top
three
place
winners
to
step
forward
and
be
acknowledged
on
the
stage
so
in
third
place
from
ac
reynolds
high
school
ansley
whitaker.
H
H
That's
montana
gura.
I
want
to
pronounce
that
correctly
and
our
overall
winner
from
north
buncombe
high
school,
miss
sarah
buchanan.
H
And
I'll
ask
sarah's
teacher
emily
gill
to
join
on
stage
as
well
as
emily
will
was
the
the
the
teacher
who
supported
sarah
in
writing
that
all
there
we
go.
H
All
five
of
these
young
ladies,
have
offered
to
participate
in
today's
events
and
you'll
hear
from
them
later.
Thank
you
everybody
for
being
here
today
and
thank
you
to
all
the
students
and
all
the
adults
who
supported
this
competition.
B
B
There
will
be
just
a
short
program
there,
where
we
will
have
an
opening
prayer
unveiling
of
the
markers
reading
of
one
of
the
essays
at
each
of
the
markers
and
then
the
reading
of
the
lynching
narratives
closing
comments
by
our
orleans,
simmons
and
closing
prayer.
So
we
will
proceed
from
here
to
the
closest
marker,
which
is
up
by
the
restrooms,
we'll
do
the
short
program
there
immediately
go
to
the
second
marker
two
blocks
down
triangle
park
for
a
short
program.
B
B
B
B
We
hope
to
take
one
or
two
motor
coaches
to
the
museum
in
the
spring.
They
have
graciously
donated
additional
funding
for
us,
where
we
think
we'll
be
able
to
pay
for
anyone
in
the
community
that
wants
to
go
on
that
trip.
The
van
winkle
law
firm
has
been
a
strong
partner
and
also
financially,
but
also
open
up
their
parking
today,
as
well
as
the
dogwood
health
trust
fund.
So
thank
you.
I
I
J
J
Even
before
there
were
large
numbers
of
africans
on
our
shores.
The
scar
of
racial
hatred
had
already
disfigured
colonial
society
in
the
state
of
north
carolina.
This
history
is
extremely
prevalent
and
yet
somehow
still
under
acknowledged,
the
trail
of
tears
took
place
across
numerous
states
in
the
south
relocating
approximately
100
000
natives
from
their
homeland
north
carolina
was
not
only
complacent.
J
J
Take
the
case
of
faith
hedgepeth,
a
lumbee
sophomore
at
unc
chapel
hill,
who
was
found
with
brutalizing
head
injuries
in
her
own
dorm
after
a
night
out,
take
the
case
of
rhonda
jones.
Her
corpse
found
upside
down
and
in
a
state
of
decomposition
within
a
trash
can
jones's
mother
only
received
inconclusive
autopsy
results
after
a
year
of
pressuring
investigators
for
them
by
which
the
results
were
useless
in
finding
the
killer,
these
incidences
being
so
local,
but
so
unheard
of
speaks
volumes.
J
We
have
founded
a
culture
that
has
led
to
these
troubling
and
disturbing
crime
statistics,
not
only
in
our
past
actions
and
influences,
but
in
our
everyday
lives
as
well.
My
aunt
carries
the
native
features
of
my
grandfather
darkened
skin
and
eyes:
a
signature,
indigenous
nose
and
stature
from
her
younger
years
onwards.
She
has
been
belittled,
teased
called
slurs
by
her
own
family
members
in
a
joking
manner,
given
indian
themed
gag
gifts
and
never
quite
encouraged
to
connect
with
her
culture.
J
She
bleached
her
skin
in
the
early
2000s
before
I
was
born,
and
although
you
can
still
see
her
heritage
on
her
face,
I
wish
I
could
have
been
around
to
see
it
in
her
skin
because
it
is
not
just
violent
crimes
that
arise
out
of
unfathomable
depths.
It
is
a
history
and
mindset
of
constantly
treating
the
first
humans
of
this
continent
as
lesser.
J
K
L
L
Although
court
proceedings
took
place
in
the
matter
of
the
lynching,
a
jury
found
just
one
perpetrator
identified
only
by
the
last
name,
thomason
or
thomason,
to
have
been
an
accessory
to
the
ellis
to
the
lynching
before
the
fact.
No
one
was
held
truly
accountable
for
the
racial
terror.
Lynching
of
john
humphreys.
B
I
Let's
pray
shall
I
be
carried
to
the
skies
on
flowery
beds
of
ease,
while
others
fought
to
win
the
prize
and
sail
the
stormy
seas.
Sure
I
must
fight
if
we
would
rest
increase
our
courage.
Lord,
we
obey
the
toil
endure.
The
pain,
supported
by
your
word
as
we
leave
now
this
sacred
place
in
honor
of
mr
humphries
and
others
may
we
arise
to
new
service
to
make
our
world
a
better
place.
One
heart
at
a
time
in
jesus
name,
amen,.
M
N
N
N
Inexpensive
property
and
lack
of
political
representation
allowed
neighborhoods
like
afton
to
be
easily
selected
for
toxic
waste
disposal
and
potential
health
hazards
were
purposefully
overlooked
because
they
could
disrupt
the
construction
of
the
landfill,
pcbs
or
polychlorinated.
Biphenyls
are
known
to
cause
birth
defects,
cancer
and
other
disorders
in
the
organs
if
inhaled
or
absorbed
through
the
skin.
N
To
summarize,
the
warren
county
injustice
occurred
because
the
residents
had
no
political
power
or
representation
to
be
able
to
stop
it.
Likewise,
the
absence
of
minority
groups
in
state
and
federal
government
has
resulted
in
inefficient
or
non-existent
environmental
justice
initiatives
in
1992
president
george,
w
bush
created
an
environmental
justice
working
group
but
later
weakened
it,
claiming
that
it
should
advocate
for
all
americans
rather
than
concentrating
on
racial
minorities.
N
N
N
In
2008,
uniontown
alabama
became
home
to
the
arrowhead
landfill
over
a
half
billion
gallons
of
toxic
coal
ash.
84
percent
of
uniontown
residents
are
black,
while
49
live
under
the
poverty
line
similar
to
warren
county
hazardous
waste
disproportionately
affects
people
of
color,
and
residents
from
both
locations
have
experienced
numerous
health
consequences.
N
M
The
uniontown
case
parallels
warren
county
both
occurred
in
poor
and
majority
african-american
communities
who
tried
to
defend
against
toxic
landfills.
Reports
of
environmental
injustice
in
uniontown
were
dismissed
by
the
federal
government
and
residents
from
both
uniontown
and
warren
county
have
experienced
health
issues
from
the
toxic
waste
as
well
as
contaminated
drinking
water.
N
To
overcome
this
toxic
legacy,
state
and
federal
officials
from
minority
groups
and
with
knowledge
of
and
passion
for,
environmental
justice
must
be
elected
by
having
representatives
who
feel
strongly
about
environmental
racism
and
including
environmental
justice
advocates
and
decision-making.
The
government
will
gain
an
increased
awareness
of
these
injustices
and
will
be
more
willing
to
use
methods
of
toxic
waste
disposal
that
are
eco-friendly,
in
addition
to
being
people-friendly.
N
The
biden
administration,
which
was
elected
with
record
voter
turnout,
has
promised
to
have
every
federal
agency
consider
environmental
justice
in
their
actions
to
much
more
diverse
and
racially
intellect,
to
elect
more
diverse
and
and
environmentally
and
racially
conscious.
People
requires
increased
voter
registration
and
turnout
if
more
people
register
to
vote
than
ever
before.
A
big
difference
can
be
made
in
the
state
and
federal
government
elections
can
give
more
political
power
to
minorities
and
people
of
color,
allowing
them
to
stand
up
against
hazardous
waste
and
other
forms
of
discrimination.
O
O
Deep
racial
hostility
burdened
black
people
with
presumptions
of
guilt,
often
resulting
in
accusations
that
were
unfounded,
unreliable
and
which
resulted
in
mob
actions.
Without
due
process
of
law.
Mr
bratchet
was
apprehended
by
a
posse
on
august
10th
at
the
home
of
reverend
sandy
ray
in
nearby
barnardsville.
O
Despite
a
lack
of
evidence
to
indicate
his
involvement.
Mr
bratchett
was
taken
to
the
asheville
jail,
an
angry
white
mob
stormed
the
jail
only
to
discover
the
sheriff
had
taken.
Mr
bratchat
on
the
train
to
raleigh
the
mob
forcefully
seized
mr
bratchet
from
the
train
near
old
fort
and
brought
him
back
to
weaverville
the
scene
of
the
alleged
crime.
O
A
Our
next
location-
and
we
hope
you
will
continue
with
us
on
this
journey
for
today-
is
located
on
craven
street
and
emmer
road.
I
Let
us
pray
as
we
lord
dedicate
this
dedication
in
the
name
of
barb
ratchet
as
well
as
many
others.
Let
us
forever
be
reminded
that
we
were
all
born
not
just
to
make
a
living,
but
we
were
all
born
to
make
a
difference
and
may
we
move
forward
now
in
the
spirit
of
love,
unity
and
togetherness,
making
this
world
a
better
place,
one
heart
at
a
time
in
jesus
name,
amen,.
B
I
I
We
are
so
grateful
today,
oh
great
god,
for
coming
together,
because
we
can
feel
the
energy
from
each
other
and
we're
so
much
better
together
and
now,
as
we
come
to
dedicate
this
third
site,
we
ask
now
your
blessings
and
may
this
be
a
perpetual
memorial
to
all
who
will
see
it
that
injustice
anywhere
is
injustice
everywhere.
Thank
you
for
allowing
us
to
be
alive
to
be
a
part
of
a
living
solution
in
jesus
name.
We
pray,
amen.
Q
United
states
citizens
are
fortunate
to
have
the
right
to
decide
our
nation's
future
in
this
country.
Felony
convictions
do
not
take
away
that
citizenship,
but
they
do
take
away
that
right.
Felony
disenfranchisement
is
the
restriction
or
elimination
of
voting
rights.
Second,
amendment
rights
and
other
benefits
of
citizenship
for
convicted
felons
once
released
from
jail.
Ex-Felons
a
population
disproportionately
made
up
of
poc.
Typically
black
americans
lose
enfranchisement
indefinitely
in
the
united
states.
Q
Felony
disenfranchisement
originated
in
north
america,
from
english
colonial
common
law
practices
called
civil
death,
which
are
retracting
voting
rights
for
glaring
moral
offenses.
After
the
american
revolution,
however,
states
began
disenfranchising
all
felons
post-civil
war
in
response
to
the
brief
period
of
african-american
prosperity
known
as
the
reconstruction.
Many
state
governments
turned
to
disenfranchisement
to
benefit
their
racist
interests.
Alabama
was
flagrant
in
suppressing
the
black
vote.
With
the
author
of
their
disenfranchisement
provision,
stating
that
quote,
the
crime
of
wife,
beating
alone,
would
disqualify
60
percent
of
the
negroes
unquote.
Q
South
carolina
began
disenfranchising
people
who
committed
what
they
referred
to
as
black
crimes.
They
said
those
were
thievery,
adultery,
arson,
wife,
beating
house
breaking
and
attempted
rape,
but
not
those
convicted
of
murder
or
fighting
these
racist
implementations
led
to
the
unbalanced
elimination
of
voting
rights
for
black
americans
in
north
carolina.
The
racist
motives
behind
widespread
felony
disenfranchisement
could
not
be
more
clear
before
the
1860s
north
carolina
disenfranchised
only
those
of
what
were
termed
as
infamous
crimes
after
the
civil
war
and
reconstruction.
Q
An
extensive
movement
organized
by
former
rebels
convicted
black
north
carolinians
of
infamous
crimes,
with
quote
the
express
goal
of
preventing
african
americans
from
being
able
to
vote
further
north
carolina
added
felony
disenfranchisement
to
the
state
constitution
in
1877,
with
the
sole
objective
of
quote
neutering.
The
gains
of
the
radical
reconstruction,
particularly
the
advances
of
the
15th
amendment,
which
gave
which
gave
black
men
the
right
to
vote.
Q
The
felony
disenfranchisement
committee
chairman
john
henderson,
was
an
enthusiastic
jim
crow
supporter
once
managing
the
lynchings
of
three
black
americans.
The
fact
that
this
committee's
head
was
so
unapologetically
racist,
obligates
north
carolina
to
take
another
look
at
the
roots
and
ethics
of
such
a
practice.
Q
Detrimental
repercussions
from
these
centuries-old
laws
continue
to
contribute
to
the
racially
discriminatory
incarceration
and
felony
disenfranchisement
policies
that
we
see
today.
Black
people
have
a
five-fold
chance
of
incarceration
compared
to
their
white
peers
with
significantly
longer
sentences.
Q
Black
men
are
sentenced
to
20
percent
longer
sentences
than
white
men
for
the
same
crimes,
and
they
are
64
more
likely
to
be
charged
with
a
mandatory
minimum
sentence
than
their
white
counterparts
when
committing
the
same
crime
imprisonment
funnels
directly
into
disenfranchisement,
with
an
average
of
1
in
16
african
americans,
aged
18
or
older
stripped
of
their
voting
rights.
This
is
3.7
times
greater
than
the
rate
of
non-african
american.
Q
Racial
discrepancies
in
the
us.
Prison
and
disenfranchisement
systems
have
prompted
much
discussion
on
whether
these
policies
and
practices
honor
the
foundations
of
this
country.
The
constitutional
debate
surrounding
felony
disenfranchisement
is
passionate
on
both
sides.
While
it
is
undoubtedly
undemocratic,
does
it
violate
the
u.s
constitution?
Q
Q
This
is
a
compelling
argument
only
if
we
disregard
the
rest
of
section
2,
as
it
continuously
refers
to
the
united
states
voting
body
as
male
citizens.
21
years
of
age,
the
united
states
no
longer
restricts
enfranchisement
to
white
21
year
old
men.
Nor
do
we
adhere
to
the
moral
ideologies
of
the
1860s.
Q
Therefore,
the
u.s
should
not
continue
to
uphold
this
antiquated
section
of
the
14th
amendment.
Voting
disqualification
should
be
abolished,
for
it
goes
against
strides.
This
nation
has
made
in
regards
to
civil
rights.
The
united
states
prides
itself
on
civil
rights,
advocacy
citizens
rights
to
political
and
social
freedom
inequality.
However,
the
u.s
falls
short
considering.
Millions
of
american
citizens
are
forbidden
to
vote,
even
though
they
are
required
to
pay
tax
in
taxes
while
imprisoned
the
cry
for
no
taxation
without
representation
rings.
Q
True
in
2021,
as
in
1773
and
while
felons
are
counted
in
population
totals
for
their
jails,
districts
resulting
in
more
representation
for
the
surrounding
community,
they
have
no
say
in
who
that
representation
is?
The
u.s
cannot
claim
to
support
civil
rights
if
the
very
policies
it
has
in
place
effectively
destroy
them.
Q
Q
The
united
states
has
much
work
to
do
to
ensure
equity
in
our
nation.
Millions
of
engaged,
tax-paying
census,
counting
american
citizens
are
outlawed
from
voting.
Felony
disenfranchisement
contradicts
everything.
Our
country
claims
to
honor,
fair
free
elections,
political
and
social
equality,
strong
morals
and
progressive
ideologies.
Stripping
ex-felons
of
their
right
to
vote
is
undemocratic,
unethical
and
un-american.
R
On
the
evening
of
september,
24
1891
hezekiah
rankin
was
accused
of
shooting
fred
a
taylor,
a
white
co-worker
with
the
western
north
carolina
railroad,
an
altercation
between
the
men
began
after
mr
rankin
was
asked
to
perform
duties
unrelated
to
his
job
during
the
altercation.
Mr
taylor
assaulted,
mr
rankin,
who
allegedly
left
the
scene
and
returned
later
with
a
gun.
R
R
A
A
A
Dr
joseph
fox,
thank
you
so
much
for
allowing
us
to
work
with
you.
Do
we
need
to
thank
our
funders
and
supporters?
It's
one
last
time
for
helping
to
make
this
program
possible.
B
Once
again,
we
want
to
thank
the
community
foundation
of
western
north
carolina.
We
want
to
thank
the
van
winkle
law
firm.
We
want
to
thank
the
dogwood
health
trust
fund
and
we
want
to
thank
community
leaders
and
residents
that
donated
on
behalf
of
the
eji
project.
We
will
conclude
with
a
final
prayer
from
reverend
brett
laprance
edwards.
I
As
we
have
now
come
to
this
momentous
conclusion,
but
the
beginning
of
new
service,
can
we
say
their
names
one
more
time:
hezekiah
ranking
john
humphreys
bob
rackett.
Let
us
pray
now,
lord.
We
dedicate
this
third
sign
in
memorial
as
a
sign
to
service
in
memorial
as
a
sign
to
the
great
history
that
has
been
laid
by
those
that
have
come
before
us
now
in
the
21st
century.
It's
our
turn
to
serve.
May
we
leave
this
place
ever
empowered
to
make
that
difference
in
the
life
of
each
human
being
one
heart
at
a
time.