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Council expresses regret over '79 shootings

Wednesday, June 17, 2009
(Updated Thursday, June 18 - 7:29 am)
By Amanda Lehmert
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — It was a much debated, carefully worded statement.

Thirty years after a Greensboro shooting — and four years after the issue first came before the City Council — the council said Tuesday night that it regretted the 1979 killings at Morningside Homes and pledged to help the city heal.

The council voted 5 to 4 to approve a statement of regret about the incident — one of the recommendations the city Humans Relations Commission made after studying the shootings and the 2006 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report about it.

Council members Mike Barber, Zack Matheny, Mary Rakestraw and Trudy Wade voted no.

Five people were killed and 10 were injured in November 1979 during a confrontation between Ku Klux Klan members and neo-Nazis and Communist Workers Party members.

Previous councils had voted to oppose the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process and not consider its recommendations.

On Tuesday, residents and human relations representatives urged the council members to address the issue.

“Acknowledge it and tell the world this won’t happen in Greensboro ever again,” said Randall Keeney, a minister.

The city attorney added language to the statement of regret to ensure that the council did not unknowingly create any legal liability for the city.

Others asked the city to stop dwelling on the shootings, which some said did not represent the current state of race relations in Greensboro.

“I will tell you what my generation is talking about,” Matheny said. “Look at our successes. Let us move on.”

In other action, the council voted to have the city staff explore options for trash disposal in the city.

The issue was raised after Councilman Mike Barber asked that the city consider dumping up to 50,000 tons of residential trash at the White Street Landfill, which was closed to household refuse in 2006.

Council members did not take Barber’s recommendation to consider expanding the use of the White Street Landfill. Last week, council members learned that the city could save $2.9 million a year by using the landfill instead of a transfer station that sends off the city’s trash.

Barber suggested that savings from using the landfill could go toward city libraries or a planned day center for homeless residents.

Residents near the landfill have been on the defensive in the past few weeks, protesting Barber’s recommendations.

Council members debated the issue at two meetings Tuesday. Some members were clear that they did not want to expand the landfill under any circumstances. But others, including Mayor Yvonne Johnson, argued that the city should explore the city’s trash options, including alternative technologies.

“That way we can get all the facts on the table and make the best decision,” Councilman Robbie Perkins said.

Other council members agreed with Perkins. They approved suggestions by Wade, who wanted the city to ask the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources to review potential health risks of the city landfill and another, abandoned landfill on Nealtown Road.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com
 

Accompanying Photos

File photo (News & Record)

Photo Caption: This panel discussion was part of the Truth and Reconciliation Project in 2004.

Additional Photos

News and notes from the meeting

  • The city will not cut any additional funds from the library system. County commissioners contributed $350,000 less than expected to the city libraries when they passed the 2009-2010 budget. The city will reduce the money that it contributes to a worker’s compensation insurance fund to make up for the loss.
  • Council members did not approve the 2009-2010 city budget Tuesday night as originally planned, due to last minute discussions about water rates and other issues. They plan to have another budget workshop on June 22 and pass the budget June 23. They must adopt a new budget by June 30.
  • A $20 million bond referendum will be on the November ballot to fund renovations of the Natural Science Center, the City Council agreed Tuesday night.

Comments

This article has been closed to new comments. Comments are generally closed after 14 days. However, comments may be closed earlier at the discretion of the News & Record.

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gso me

June 17, 2009 - 12:21 am EDT

FINALLY, a step in the right direction by the council in approving the statement of regret for the events of November 3, 1979. Was it perfect? NO. Was it far better than actions of the council in the past? ABSOLUTELY! Acknowledgment by all is often a tremendous step toward moving forward, as so many who commented want everyone to do.

And hey, hats off to Robbie Perkins for his almost apology (those who were there will understand this characterization of his comments) for the motion a few years ago not to support the TRC process. I'll take an almost apology and evidence of growth any day.

For all of those who love to vilify some of the most prominent social activists and community leaders who also happen to be survivors of the 11/3/79 events, I hope you tuned in tonight to hear more of their truth. Nelson Johnson read from his testimony to the TRC, apologizing (since so many of you are so hell bent on the city not apologizing for various reasons) for his part in the events of that day. This is not news to people who have read the report, but for those who love to comment yet haven't taken time to read and consider any of the findings from the tremendous body of work that is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, consider yourselves informed.

Yay for Greensboro tonight.

nclawkid

June 17, 2009 - 12:46 am EDT

I agree. The city council always talks about moving forward. Today they actually did.

J Peterman Reality Tour

June 17, 2009 - 9:10 am EDT

Personally a lot of people I know are tired of licking black racists butt in Greensboro. Whats next? An off duty drunk cop is gonna show up at your partry and beat and kick you, then the next day he'll show up in a news conference with some race baiting pastor to claim it never happened? I don't care what you saw, never happened.

Or maybe some black race gourp will buy an old building in Greensboro and beg the City for MILLIONS and MILLIONS of dollars for historical renovations . . . and never produce the project to fruition for more than 10 years . . . and when anyone questions this madness . . . it's racist.

How about all those cops filing that rediculous discrimination lawsuit against the Greensboro Police department . . . it's beyond fantasy to think I would work anywhere for years only to discover one day I had been discriminated against the whole time, secretly or course . . . cause if I'm black all I gotta do is say 'discrimination'

Apporx. 95% of the home invations in Greensboro are by young black males, 89% of the armed robberies in Greensboro are by young black males . . . the City of Greensboro owes an official appology for letting this black menance get outta hand to all the people in Greensboro.

greywolf

June 17, 2009 - 10:27 am EDT

As stated by a white racist... JPRT.

J Peterman Reality Tour

June 17, 2009 - 1:22 pm EDT

If these black truths offends anyone here . . . by all means go out and change them . . . don't ignor your black presense and black involement in the harm this causes all of Greensboro and then call anyone who points this out . . . a racists . . . how can anyone take a fool like that serious . . . I don't and many here do not either.

. . . you see the damage you've caused . . .

bigdog1

June 17, 2009 - 11:24 am EDT

J Peterman you are just a big a bigot. Blame everything on the black man. I bet white males who love to molest babys do not commit any crimes.

kaye

June 17, 2009 - 12:08 pm EDT

j peterman, is one of "those people" who hate blacks and others of color and these will be the very people to wipe his butt and feed him when he's in a nursing home!!! One that holds hate as such, will in time "UGLY AWAY".

bigwill

June 17, 2009 - 12:20 pm EDT

How can it be racist if the facts support his statements? Anyone who denies that blacks are the problem with the crime rate is just being ignorant. Its on the news everyday about blacks robbing or killing someone. Its hard to be called a racist when the facts prove your statements.

greywolf

June 17, 2009 - 7:48 pm EDT

*lol* You wouldn't know a "fact" if it came up and bit you.

Paul J

June 17, 2009 - 1:23 pm EDT

Is there any difference in a white bigot and a black one like,Skip,Small,Johnson and the rest of the naacp members?

buzzman

June 17, 2009 - 12:09 pm EDT

JPRT - BRAVO!!! Couldn't have said it any better myself! I'm one of those who are so tired of everything being about those black racist fools that have nothing better to do than create more problems - as if Greensboro didn't already have more than it's share with a mayor and her sidekicks who are out in la la land and continue to push the wishes of the few on the majority of us.

dowsj24

June 17, 2009 - 9:56 pm EDT

I think you need to check the way you phrase your comments. As a COLLEGE EDUCATED African American male who has spent his entire life in this area, I am offended that you mention the issues of black, but you seem to be blind to the blatant racism and bigotry that still exists in this city. You are indeed the type of person the world could do without. Why don't you talk about the injustices that occur in this city on a daily basis and are directly associated with race. The reality is that there are issues in this city that will never be resolved until citizens such as yourself understand that everyone deserves to be here, even if their skin does not look like yours or their bank account cannot match your own.

Why don't we talk about how the WHITES in this community have destroyed the public school system all because you were too scared for your WHITE children to go to school with us. Were you too afraid that your WHITE daughters and sons would realize the lifetime of lies you instilled in them as children. Are you afraid that if you provide fair opportunity to blacks that you will be short-changed? Wake up and realize that the world no longer belongs to you WHITE men who have robbed, raped and defamed this country and city for so many years. So what...the city council didn't kiss your butt on this issue...maybe that's because you weren't greasing their palms well enough on this issue. You are indeed a pure waste of life!

greywolf

June 17, 2009 - 10:26 am EDT

Agreed, 'gso me'! I am proud of the Council for taking this step. I had read yesterday's article and was shocked at the vehemence of many respondents. Such hatred, racism, and scorn that has been associated with opposition to this process should never be allowed to raise its ugly head in our fair city. One hate-filled respondent in particular (I do not recall who and do not intend to go refresh my memory) suggested that many of those killed were [just] communists anyway, suggesting that their lives were without value. That was akin to saying well, they're just black, or just white, or just Baptist, or just Muslim. There is no room for that kind of hatred in our society.

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 12:47 am EDT

Well the city council made two very bad decision.
#1 The council has allow a very small group of communist thugs, with a racist agenda to twist the weak arm of this city council by allowing these thugs to continue to stirr up racial tensions in Greensboro. The Truth and Reconciliatioin Commission has NEVER sought the Truth and does not want Reconciliation. The only way for these thugs to keep their ugly face in the public is to keep racial tension stirred up in Greensboro. There is NO end to this, because these racist do not want an end to it.

#2 This council has proven they do not have the best interest of Greensboro at heart, when they refuse to correct the costliest mistake they have EVER made, by closing the White St Landfill. The council could have done the ONLY right thing for this city and reopened the landfill, but they would rather this city continue to look like a bunch of fools.

dowsj24

June 17, 2009 - 1:16 am EDT

Beachwalk, why don't we come open a landfill in your back yard? You shouldn't have any objections to it seeing as you are so hell bent on the city reopening one in another's back yard. There are many factors to consider before reopening that facility for trash disposal; with the biggest issue being the health of the residents of that community.

Why don't you try having compassion for those residents and quit acting like a complete butt whole who is more interested in the city saving money than caring for its citizens. If you want the city to save so much money, why don't we take the funds that are being used to plan the unnecessary Fun 4th celebration and direct those monies to the numerous issues the city faces?

If the citizens of this community do not wake up and quit being so disrespectful and hateful, you are going to find yourself in a situation with no positive outcomes. Instead of suggesting that the council does not have the heart of Greensboro at stake, why don't you consider the argument that they do have the city's best interest at heart and that's why they've requested additional information before making a decision.

You are a true personification of a heartless, egotistical, passionless, scum bag.

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 9:23 am EDT

No I wouldn't want a landfill in my backyard. But I also would not have bought a house with a landfill in the backyard, and then demand the city close it. The people of that area KNEW what they were getting when they bought it. It was a FOOLISH mistake to close the landfill and there is NO way to argue otherwise.

Panacea

June 17, 2009 - 9:43 am EDT

A lot of people in that neighborhood lived there since before the landfill was ever opened. They had NO choice.

And those who live there now still deserve to have their voices heard.

I don't live in that neighborhood, but at least I proposed alternative suggestions, such as wet processing technologies, as a solution that might meet common ground.

Why don't you try coming up with some constructive ideas for a change?

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 10:19 am EDT

Once again Panacea you are very loose with your words. There is NOT "A lot of people in that neighborhood who lived there since before the landfill was ever opened". Actually only a VERY FEW.
Here's a constructive idea. Save the city MILLIONS of $$$$$$ and reopen the landfill. It should have NEVER been closed in the first place. Correct the costliest mistake the council has ever made.

nclawkid

June 17, 2009 - 1:37 am EDT

Your accusations of racism and calling your neighbors thugs certainly doesn't promote the healing that Greensboro is desperately in need of.

I don't feel strongly for either side of the landfill debate. I think both sides have points that merit contemplation. That said, whatever the city decides to do, it needs to do it and be done with it once and for all. It's unfair to those residents to wait in limbo and not know the fate of their homes.

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 1:00 pm EDT

"Your accusations of racism and calling your neighbors thugs certainly doesn't promote the healing that Greensboro is desperately in need of."
Neither will bringing up something that happen 30 years ago, that no one will agree on.
And I will stand by my statement that these are racist thugs who twist the weak arm of the city council into making foolish decisions.

gso me

June 17, 2009 - 1:27 pm EDT

I was there. I was glad the motion to accept the statement produced by the City Council appointed Human Relations Committee was adopted. I am not racist, nor am I a communist thug. I am white, like you! And I am not the only person who is NOT of color who believes strongly about this issue. So, what name now? Why not a person who believes in social justice, FOR ALL?! How about that?! Can we agree on that? A person who believes in fairness. A person who believes our government has a duty to protect us, whether they agree with what we're saying or not. How about an activist? A person who cares enough to try and make a difference for someone other than myself...all the while understanding that my quality of life increases as those around me does.

How hard is that to consider?

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 2:23 pm EDT

There are also many African Americans who know revisiting the CWP/Klan issue will not solve or end anything. And they are in the majority in Greensboro who DO NOT want to revisit this issue again. Why should a VERY SMALL group of people (Thugs) dictate what issues will be put on the city council's front burner, for no other reason other than their selfish need to be in the public eye and to keep race tensions stirred up in Greensboro. There are too many other issues that need to be address, instead of digging up a dead issue from 1979.

tledford

June 18, 2009 - 10:29 pm EDT

Beachwalk, until this moment I didn't realize you are black.

What is your address is Southeast Greensboro?

Mialamasoul

June 19, 2009 - 4:02 pm EDT

The mistaken statement I keep reading throughout these comments is "stirring up" racial tensions like they are some sludge at the bottom of people's lives. I have been here four years, and I will say that the racial tensions exist, don't need "stirring up" and are not being perpetuated by a small group of "thugs" but by a large majority of virulent individuals, and an even larger majority of silent ones.

bigdog1

June 17, 2009 - 11:29 am EDT

open one in your back yard.

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 12:17 pm EDT

No I wouldn't want a landfill in my backyard. But I also would not have bought a house with a landfill in the backyard, and then demand the city close it. The people of that area KNEW what they were getting when they bought it. It was a FOOLISH mistake to close the landfill and there is NO way to argue otherwise.

rondab

June 17, 2009 - 2:40 am EDT

OMG!!! Enough already. Beachwalk is right. This will never end, because racists don't want it to end. There are far more important issues that need attention in this city. Lets see, I have personally requested my councilwoman meet w/ me at my 52 year old business to discuss / address the issue of crime, drunks, begging, people standing at major intersections with their pitiful signage begging for help, and the same homeless bums that we are forced to call security and 911 on an almost daily basis. Her response to me," Well, you help us out with some hot dogs for these kids and we'll see what we can do".What???? Is this a bribe? This, in an area of town hoping to undergo a transformation. A transformation initiated by the city council and very much needed. This sounds too much akin to Chicagoland politics, PAY TO PLAY. This is exactly why so many issues in this city are never adequately addressed much less resolved.

Get Real

June 17, 2009 - 2:43 am EDT

So the ones who were attacked by the Klan are the ones who are racist? Have you seen the video footage from that day? Various ethnicities were represented.

northoftheboro

June 17, 2009 - 8:16 am EDT

If you saw the entire video footage, so will see that the Communist workers attacked the Klan members' vehicles FIRST, with the KKK responding by getting out of their cars, drawing guns, then opening fire. There are NO innocent parties in this incident as the two groups had a running feud and similar altercations for weeks leading up to the Nov. 1979 incident. Frankly, I wish both sides would have made the world a better place and killed each other off, as I find Klan rednecks and Communist thugs equally replusive.

Get Real

June 18, 2009 - 2:07 am EDT

ok, so how does that make white CWP members racist?

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