The following comment is from the person who has filed the latest Federal Lawsuit against the City of Shelby asking for support. Watching Shelby’s MO, there are likely other lawsuits to follow. Reference a recent lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice against the Town of Wolcott, Conn.
From: Nivilla Campbell
To: Willie Green
Hello,
My name is Nivilla Campbell. I am writing today to ask for your support by speaking to the City of Shelby City Council and the Mayor about my situation.
I worked for the City of Shelby Natural Gas department for a little over 3 years. I was the only African American in the department. While working there I experienced a lot of harsh things. I had my hair pulled and told they were trying to clean their hands with my hair (I reported it), I also was called the B word (that was actually handled), and lastly a fellow supervisor stated some racial slurs to me while in the crew room in front of his employees and one of mine.
I reported it, there was an investigation and it came out that it was true. After hearing from people, the supervisor was bragging that nothing was done to him. I reported it to the EEOC.
Throughout the whole investigation (on my complaint), HR never reached out to me. She let my supervisor handle it. So, I’m not sure if the investigation was done correctly or not. I was told by my supervisor that I “eventually have to get over this, we all have a job to do.” I was also told that I can’t close my office door and miss meetings to avoid seeing that supervisor.
It was a lot on me mentally and emotionally to have to continue working after the racial slurs and being told that by my supervisor. Also, throughout my time there I asked numerous of times about work-related training to help me do my job better. I was told by my supervisor that “the City Manager doesn’t like to send people to trainings out of state.” I then witnessed them send someone in my department to a training overnight to another state.
To me none of this is right. I’m asking for your support today. If you can reach out to the City Council and the Mayor. There needs to be some changes in the way the City handles discrimination. There should be no tolerance for those type of behaviors.
Thank you so much for taking time to read my email.
Sincerely,
Nivilla Campbell
Shortly thereafter, Rev. Dante Murphy of the Southern Coalition for Equal Protection Under the Law (SCEPUL) writes to Speaker of the House Tim Moore requesting intervention in this matter.
Rev. Murphy writes:
NC House Speaker Tim Moore,
The racism and corruption seen within your district is representative of the cruel acts seen across North Carolina. Please use whatever persuasion you have in resolving some of these matters. Specifically,
1) Discriminatory acts by the City of Shelby against former NFL football player Willie Green—federal investigation pending.
2) Discriminatory acts by the City of Shelby against Nivilla Campbell—lawsuit pending.
3) Willis v. Cleveland County involving misconduct against women—lawsuit pending.
4) Murphy v. Cleveland County involving discrimination and retaliation against Rev. Dante Murphy—lawsuit pending.
Others concerns and needs across the state:
1) Please contact Attorney General Josh Stein and demand that he release SBI findings into several allegations that New Hanover County school administrators, board members, law enforcement, and other elected officials for years covered up child sexual abuse.
2) Please support the removal of District Attorney Ben David from office as he has consistently failed, among other things, to explain why his office failed to charge a former teacher after that teacher sent sexually explicit text messages to a twelve-year-old student. That teacher went on to molest that same student and had exposure to countless others.
3) Please demand that New Hanover County Board of Education settle all lawsuits involving all child sexual abuse and discrimination claims.
Rev. Dante’ Murphy
A short time later, Mr. Willie Green writes to Shelby City Attorney Andrea Leslie-Fite:
From: Willie Green
To: Andrea Leslie-Fite (Shelby City Attorney)
City Attorney Andrea Leslie-Fite,
As the City first Black attorney, I am sure you can relate to Ms. Campbell, as it relates to the treatment of black women in the all-white workplace.
I pray that you will not remain silent, but do an internal investigation into Ms. Campbell’s claims, punish those employees who are guilty and not force Ms. Campbell into a long drawn out legal battle, that would cause her more financial and emotional harm.
I also ask our two black City Council Members (Webber and Hopper) and the county black leaders to also speak out and not remain silent of the blatant discrimination that is taken place with the City of Shelby’s public officials and employees against people of color.
Willie A. Green, Sr.
Folks, and especially you City of Shelby folks, YOU have already spent over $350,000 in legal fees defending corrupt City of Shelby Officials for their obvious discrimination and retaliation against those that speak up for what is right. And, the law of the land.
This is an election year for the City of Shelby. I expect some changes will be made that will correct the unnecessary and excessive flow of tax-dollars to lawyers to cover-up the corruption of the present Shelby city leadership. Otherwise, somebody will eventually take what is left in Shelby’s bank account.