News Alert: NC NAACP, Activists, Bill Sponsors and Attorneys to Hold Media Briefing on Racial Justice Act Decision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2012

For More Information:           Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137

                                                Ms. Amina J. Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700

For Media Assistance:            Rob Stephens, Office Manager, 336-577-9335

North Carolina NAACP to host media briefing with activists, bill sponsors and attorneys for full examination of Judge Gregory Weeks' Racial Justice Act ruling

(DURHAM) On Monday, April 23, 2012, the North Carolina NAACP will be joined by activists, bill sponsors and attorneys representing Marcus Robinson and other death row inmates who have filed claims under the Racial Justice Act, and others who have participated in the struggle to pass and defend the Racial Justice Act, for a media briefing and full examination of Judge Weeks' ruling on Friday.

The media briefing will take place at 9:00 AM in the North Carolina Institute for Minority Economic Development (NCIMED) Building at 114 W. Parrish Street, 4th Floor, Durham, NC.

            "Friday's decision by Judge Weeks was a direct challenge to the racially-biased practice of capital punishment and a criminal justice system that is far too often tainted and affected by this bias in arrests, convictions and sentencing," said Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President of the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP. "The Racial Justice Act and Friday's decision serve as a breath of new life into our Constitution's promise to equal protection under the law for all persons. Unlike the McCleskey decision, North Carolina should never be afraid of too much justice."

Dr. Barber continued, "Through the passage of the Racial Justice Act, North Carolina made a commitment to eradicating racial bias in our capital punishment process. We should not be ashamed or afraid to root out every vestige of hatred and oppression, covert or overt, implicit or explicit, in our 21st century criminal justice system."

###

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.