NC NAACP and John McNeil to Hold News Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

13 February 2013

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

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

                                                Mr. Rob Stephens, Field Secretary, 336-577-9335

WILSON - The North Carolina NAACP, its President Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II and Mr. John McNeil will hold a brief news conference today from 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm with the Wilson County Branch of the NAACP, family members and supporters:

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

4:00 pm - 4:30 pm 

Calvary United Holy Church

515 Daniel Street, Wilson, NC

            All media are welcome.  The North Carolina NAACP asks everyone to respect the time frame allotted for the news conference so that Mr. McNeil can continue his process of grieving and laying his courageous wife to rest.

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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.

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John McNeil Coming Home

Statement by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, NC NAACP President, on the Release of John McNeil

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12 February 2013

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

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

On the eve of Lent, and the 104^th anniversary of the founding of the NAACP, which began as an organization fighting against the false and unjust convictions of African-American men, the Georgia criminal justice system has engaged in a kind of partial repentance.

            John McNeil was wrongfully convicted nearly six years ago. Two white police officers and a white eye witness testified he acted in self-defense against an aggressor on his own property. His livelihood was taken away. A Georgia Superior Court ruled that there were substantial judicial errors in his original trial, so much so that the judge granted John's petition for habeas corpus. He was torn from his two young sons during their formative years. His faithful and courageous wife was laid to rest just two days ago. She fought until her last breath for his freedom. After all this, John was offered a plea to a lesser charge today, which enabled him to walk out of prison.

            While John pleaded to a lesser charge, the criminal justice system in Georgia and America still remains guilty of the greater charge of continuing disparities and inequities in the sentencing, convictions and imprisonment of African-Americans, minorities and poor whites. So while we are happy that John is free, we remain ever committed to continue the work of making our judicial system fair for all.

            The NAACP does not endorse violence, and none of us, especially John and his family, are happy about the loss of life, and we pray for the Epps family. Though we would have rather John been exonerated based on self-defense, we are thankful that he is able to return home, be with his two sons and start his life over.

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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.

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Media Advisory: NC NAACP to Hold Rally and Prayer Vigil for John McNeil Following Court Decision Last Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1 October 2012

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

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

NC NAACP and Wilson County NAACP to Hold Rally and Prayer Vigil for John McNeil Following Major Victory in a Georgia Courthouse

WILSON - Following last week's major court decision to grant John McNeil's habeas corpus claim, the North Carolina NAACP and others will hold a rally and prayer vigil with local churches in his hometown of Wilson, NC, where his wife and family now live.

   The rally and prayer vigil, hosted North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, the local Wilson County Branch of the NAACP and the Committee to Free John McNeil, will take place on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 7:00 PM at Calvary United Holy Church, 515 Daniel Street, Wilson, NC.

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Wilson Mayor and Business Owner will Fly Ailing Anita McNeil to Georgia to Visit Husband John McNeil

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12 September 2012  

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

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

For Media Assistance: Ms. Sharon Coleman, Office Communication Manager,  

919-682-4700

WILSON - Wilson Mayor Bruce Rose, Wilson business owner Jeff Chesson, Mrs. John McNeil and her sister will fly out of Wilson Airport Wednesday morning to Georgia to visit Mrs. McNeil's husband, former Fike H.S. basketball star, held in a Georgia State Prison.

North Carolina NAACP State President, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II and other state and local NAACP leaders will be on hand to bless the Mrs. McNeil's mission of justice and love, and to thank the Wilson leaders for their act of kindness to the McNeils at the Wilson Industrial Airport (4545 Airport Drive, Wilson, NC, 27896) at 8:00 AM on Wednesday.

            The visit comes two days after Rev. Barber, Mr. DuBose and National NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous visited Mr. McNeil in prison. His case is being reviewed by the courts now.

Georgia NAACP President Ed DuBose has arranged for Mrs. McNeil, who has cancer, to visit John McNeil at Macon State Prison. Mrs. McNeil's disease has added to the sense of urgency in her fight, supported by the National, North Carolina, and Georgia NAACP, to free her husband.  Mr. McNeil's mother died two months ago, without getting to see her beloved son since he was imprisoned six years ago for defending himself, his son, and his home in an upscale white suburb of Atlanta.

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NAACP: Justice for John McNeil on the Wilson County Courthouse steps

John McNeil was sentenced to life in a Georgia prison because he defended himself and his family’s 'castle' against an armed white trespasser’s assault.
His conviction was appealed.
Justice did not prevail.
One Justice

also let it be known that,

Six Georgia Supreme Court Justices reviewed the cold record of John
McNeil’s trial and found no errors in his conviction of felony murder
and life sentence. The seventh justice, Chief Justice Leah Ward
Sears, had major problems with the case.

Chief Justice Sears wrote1: “I conclude that no rational trier of fact
could find, based on the evidence presented at trial, that the State
disproved McNeil’s claim of self‐defense beyond a reasonable doubt.
Accordingly, I must dissent…

Because my examination of the record shows that the State failed to
disprove John McNeil’s claim of self‐defense beyond a reasonable
doubt, I respectfully dissent to the Court’s affirmance of McNeil’s
conviction for murder.”

The officers determined that John McNeil acted in self defense and did not arrest him. Later, however, the District Attorney brought the matter before a grand jury. Indictments were brought. The man who tried to defend himself and his home was tried, convicted of felony murder and sentenced to life in prison.

He was solely convicted because Epps was a white man, and in Georgia no matter what, they can’t allow a black man to kill a white man ever, even in self defense.

Race still play a huge part in our legal system,

In calling for a reexamination of the case, NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous said, “ Unfortunately, this court and prosecutor  - who overruled local police to pursue this case – is more influenced by Georgia’s legacy of racism than current law.  This appears to be opportunism on the part of the prosecutor.  I find it curious that no white man is serving time under similar circumstances in the state.”

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NAACP to Hold News Conference on Wilson Courthouse Steps Demanding Justice for John McNeil

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 14, 2012

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

Mrs. Amina Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700

NAACP to Hold News Conference on Wilson Courthouse Steps Demanding Justice for John McNeil

WILSON, NC - Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, President of the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, leaders of the Wilson NAACP Branch, and members of John McNeil's family will hold a news conference on the Wilson County Courthouse Steps (115 E. Nash Street, Wilson, NC 27894) on Friday, June 15, at 11 a.m.

John McNeil, a former basketball star for Fike High School (see photos and more information here) has been incarcerated in Georgia prisons for 5 ½ years, for shooting an advancing trespasser just outside the back door of the McNeil family home in Cobb County, Georgia.   The McNeils were the only African American family living in the up-scale suburban community. The trespasser, who was armed and had marijuana in his vehicle, had threatened John and Anita McNeil's son minutes before with a knife, refused twice to leave the McNeil's property and continued to advance, despite a warning shot into the ground by McNeil.   

The McNeil family requested the NAACP get involved to and while there are signs of new interest in the Free John McNeil movement, his wife, Mrs. Anita McNeil of Wilson, N.C., has suffered a recurrence of cancer. She is fighting for her own life and for her husband's return to her side. She will attend the news conference.

The North Carolina and the Georgia State Conferences of the NAACP have led the struggle to free McNeil. The National NAACP has thrown its full weight behind the campaign as well. Both Rev. Barber and Mr. Ed DuBois, president of the Georgia NAACP, have met with John and are committed to fighting for his life until justice is done. They will bring National NAACP President and CEO Ben Jealous to meet with him later this summer.     

The Wilson NAACP Branch and the John McNeil Defense Committee will also be represented. The Defense Committee retained a Georgia attorney who recently argued to an appellate judge that there was strong evidence of inadequate counsel and unfairness in McNeil's trial. The Court's decision is pending.

"The McNeil case is a prime example of the age-old unequal justice in the court system," said Rev. Barber. "Here we have a man who did everything right. A high school athletic and academic all-star who went on to graduate from Elizabeth City State University. An outstanding father and businessman with no criminal record. Two white police officers testified on his behalf saying it was a clear example of self-defense and was protected by castle doctrine.  It was only 275 days after the incident that the District Attorney disagreed with the police officers and decided to arrest him. A former Georgia Supreme Court Justice said the same thing in a powerful dissent opinion. One white eye-witness supported John's story and said he was innocent and only acted in self defense. What happened to John McNeil is an obscenity to justice. The "Castle Doctrine" doesn't appear to apply to him. In Georgia, a black man's home is not a castle, his home means nothing before the law."

The news conference also coincides with a major silent march against the racist and discriminatory Stop and Frisk policies of the NYC police department. Over 87% of the people stopped under this practice are Black and Latino men. Also, this week, ultra-right legislators are trying again to repeal the South's first Racial Justice Act, in North Carolina. The NC NAACP will send a delegation of members to Georgia this weekend for events surrounding McNeil's case. 

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The Day After NC's Vote on Amendment 1 in Wilson NC

the Campaign For Southern Equality:

On May 8th, North Carolinians will decide on a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would ban marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. Beginning the next morning, the WE DO Campaign will visit eight counties where more than forty LGBT couples will apply for marriage licenses in their local communities, with clergy, elected officials, family, and community members accompanying them in support. The couples will be denied licenses because they do not meet the legal requirements for marriage in North Carolina, which stipulate that partners must be of the opposite sex. In each community, the WE DO event will also include a Prayer Service for Reconciliation led by clergy. In select counties, couples and allies will conduct a sit-in at the Register of Deeds Office after the denials occur, as a peaceful act of civil disobedience.

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Wilson’s Amendment 1 March

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Pat McCrory Fundraiser in Wilson NC

Well it would seem that ex-sheriff of Wilson County will be hosting a fundraiser for Pat McCrory at his home.  Yes, it’s lovely home, well back in 1995 it was.. Been there seen it..

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Preparing for the NC Marriage Protection Amendment Vote (on May 8) (for the Amendment) (protest anyone??)

They will be in Wilson on the 23rd of March..

Time: March 23, 2012 from 11am to 1pm
Location: Wilson Community Church (WCC)
Street: 2301 Montgomery Drive
City/Town: Wilson, NC 27893
Website or Map: http://wilsoncommunitychurch.…
Phone: 919-284-0116 (or email: vkm@embarqmail.com)
Event Type: workshop
Organized By: Virginia Morris
Latest Activity: on Thursday

Event Description

“There is no issue of greater significance to this state than the way we will define marriage. It is the definitive issue of this generation.” -- Rev. Mark Creech, Executive Director of the Christian Action League

On May 8th, North Carolinians will vote in the primary on where they stands on the definition of marriage, and we need to do all we can to help NC preserve traditional marriage in our state.

"According to a poll released earlier this month by Public Policy Polling, support for the Marriage Protection Amendment has declined with 56 percent of voters surveyed in January supporting the amendment to preserve traditional marriage by protecting it in our state constitution.  In October, support for the amendment stood at 61 percent, according to the same poll. This is a 5 percent drop in support in just two short months." (Source: christianactionleague.org/news/urgent-christian-action-alert-campaign-for-marriage-needs-funds) Now is the time to get involved!

What can you do? Well, on Friday, March 23, from 11am to 1pm, Wilson County area clergy will be gathering at Wilson Community Church for an informative and empowering workshop where Rev. Mark Creech (Executive Director of the Christian Action League) will address the issues surrounding the Marriage Protection Amendment and some possible ways the Wilson community and its Christian leaders can become involved.

NOTE: A home cooked meal will be provided for participants. More details will be provided as the planning proceeds.

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For more info about Rev. Mark Creech and the Christian Action League, please go to christianactionleague.org.

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To learn more about the May 8th Marriage Protection Amendment vote go to www.VoteFORMarriageNC.com.

wow in Wilson, no small supply of bigots there… I know Live there for 7 years..

the church is the old Movie theater behind KFC on 42.. just before Forest Hill rd intersection.

Lot of room for a protest or rally..

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Wilson DP need to get a Clue..

It was report today that in Wilson NC the local police found 103 pounds of Cocaine in a abandoned Jeep Grand Cherokee..

The Wilson Daily Times reported (http://bit.ly/xrMW8X) that officials believe the cocaine weighing about 47 kilos has a street value of $1.5 million.

Police Capt. Kendra Howell says police haven't arrested anyone.

I guess its to hard for someone in the Wilson PD  to do a title, vin # or a tag search via the DMV to see just you owned the Jeep last.. Police say they are keeping the detail on the DL cause they don’t want to endanger anyone or their investigation.

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Chicken plant war between Nash and Wilson Co, North Carolina

The so-called speakers use scare tactics, form 9/11 to the BP Gulf Oil crisis. One Even Claim that God has the finial word, Nothing happens with him signing off on it. Well I guess it was his will for 9/11 to happen, then again this could be his will, with so many praying for a job, maybe this is how he answering those whom prayed for work..

The city of Wilson is hoping that a threat to cut off water service to Nash County will make officials balk at moving forward with a poultry processing plant.

KINSTON — Residents and officials said they are excited about Sanderson Farms’ plans to open a new poultry processing plant in Kinston in January.

Southern Nash County and Wilson County residents are combating the proposed plant and the spray field, which is slated to be constructed six miles west of the plant site.

WILSON — The Wilson City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution expressing opposition to a proposed poultry processing plant in southern Nash County.

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