Editor’s Note: My writings have reached people from across North Carolina, the whole of the United States and sometimes around the World. I received an email from a group called “Poor People’s Campaign” with the following notification-Press Release about a Clergy Rally and March in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. I do not have enough information regarding the exact circumstances of the arrest gone wrong in Elizabeth City to form an opinion on whether or not the shooting was justified. I do support transparency, truth and accountability by the Police and City and County Government in this matter. And ALL matters of high public interest. Perhaps some local folks would like to attend this event and report back to us what happens at this rally and march. I also wonder why the Clergy here in Cleveland County and especially Shelby have NOT turned out in a similar manner against the racial discrimination of Mr. Willie Green.
Also, Please note that I do not condone, but would highly condemn, any violence, burning of property or looting that might associate itself with this rally and march.
CONTACT:
Martha Waggoner | mwaggoner@breachrepairers.org | 919-295-0802Clergy march Saturday, demand transparency in police killing of unarmed Black man in North Carolina
Revs. Barber, Spearman lead march, speak at public rally & join news conference in Elizabeth City
Updates location for start of march, additional speakers
WHAT: A clergy march to demand truth, transparency and accountability in the death of Andrew Brown Jr., an unarmed Black man who was killed April 21 by Pasquotank County deputies serving a warrant in Elizabeth City. The march will be followed by a public rally and a news conference.
WHO: Bishop William J. Barber II, president of Repairers of the Breach, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival former moderator with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman, an elder with the AME Zion Church and former president of the N.C. Council of Churches, will lead a march of interfaith and interdenominational clergy, wearing vestments of their faith traditions. A public rally will follow the march. Other speakers include Rev. Jennifer Copeland, executive director of the N.C. Council of Churches; Rev. Javan Leach, pastor of Mt. Lebanon AME Zion Church in Elizabeth City; Rev. Greg Drumwright, organizer of Justice 4 the Next Generation and Rev. Hanna Broome, a presiding elder in the AME Zion Church. An attorney for the family, Harry Daniels, also will participate.
WHEN: March begins at 11 a.m. ET Saturday, May 8, with a public rally and news conference at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Clergy members will meet at 10:30 a.m. at 306 N. Road St., Elizabeth City, in front of the Boys and Girls Club, which also is the former Elizabeth City Middle School, on the corner of North Road Street and Elizabeth Street / Hwy 158 West. Parking is available in the lot behind the Boys and Girls Club. They will march to the Pasquotank County Courthouse. Also online at www.breachrepairers.org/andrewbrown
WHY: Andrew Brown Jr. was unarmed when he was shot in the back of his head by officers serving a warrant, which is not a license to kill. The legal system must release the full videos from the officers’ body cameras to the public and the family. We also demand an independent prosecutor; federal and state laws that call for police accountability and police reform; and a federal pattern and practices investigation of law enforcement in Pasquotank County, along with any counties connected to the killing of Andrew Brown Jr.
For additional information: poorpeoplescampaign.org https://youtu.be/PmOjcUoDhEs
Twitter: @unitethepoor / Instagram: @poorpeoplescampaign / Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ANewPPC
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Yolanda Barksdale
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Press Secretary and Communications Associate
Poor People’s Campaign, A National Call for Moral Revival
Cell: (919) 396-6312“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” – Rep. John Lewis
