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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: Each of the people killed in the Nov. 3, 1979, shootings are represented by a white rose and a photograph during a Truth and Reconciliation hearing in 2005.

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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bigwill

June 17, 2009 - 8:26 am EDT

Obviously the only knowledge you have of this event was watching the video. The Klan would have never shown if the workers didn't instigate and dare them to show up. They asked for the confrontation, they got a confrontation, and unfortunately some paid the ultimate price for what they wanted. Why should anyone apoligize at all over a mess that was caused by the people who started it. That's why racism will never end, because minorities always think someone else owes them something. They never let it go away and I believe they don't want it to go away. Its the only leverage they have to get what they want these days. Most don't know how to earn anything in life because they are taught how to play the race card. Its a disgrace to society and its part of the reason for the decline in our nation over the years.

Panacea

June 17, 2009 - 9:45 am EDT

If you've read the Commission's report you will see they lay appropriate blame on the parties involved: the CWP, the Klan, and the GPD.

The statement of regret was a step in the right direction. It's time the City owns what happened.

bigwill

June 17, 2009 - 10:05 am EDT

So the city is suppose to apoligize for every mistake it has made in the past? Get real, its like beating a dead horse.

Panacea

June 17, 2009 - 12:07 pm EDT

The City should apologize for a mistake that left 5 people dead, and 10 wounded.

bigwill

June 17, 2009 - 12:27 pm EDT

Why should the city members of 2009 apologize for something they had no part of from 1979? You make absolutely no sense Panacea. I guess they should apologize for everyone elses mistakes in their past too. That would be like President Obama apologizing for the past Presidents allowing slavery to take place. Its ridiculous and pointless. It doesn't change or progress anything useful.

ustaxpayer

June 17, 2009 - 3:35 pm EDT

I agree with bigwill...Let it go my friends....let it go......

Panacea

June 17, 2009 - 11:04 pm EDT

I've said this elsewhere, but I'll say it again. The council is the voice of the City. It doesn't matter if they weren't in charge in 1979, they took on a mantle of leadership for Greensboro, and Greensboro needs to step up and own the fact the City screwed up in 1979.

As for slavery, I would support either the President or Congress apologizing to the nation for the disgrace of slavery.

buzzman

June 17, 2009 - 12:14 pm EDT

RONDAB - Why don't you record the conversation with your council person and get her some good media publicity? Obviously, not representing her constituents - just those few of the same color!

beach35

June 17, 2009 - 1:45 am EDT

Is it really this lame of a town, that there is nothing else news worthy to discuss or write about, than an incident that occurred 30 years ago?

bcparsons

June 17, 2009 - 3:23 am EDT

i don't consider myself to be a communist racist thug, however i was appalled and sickened by what happened that day thirty years ago and still am today. did you attend any of the so-called "trial"? that anyone with any sense at all could dismiss this event as irrelevant is beyond me. the actual thugs were the ones who drove up with a car full of guns, killed people, and got away scott free.

bigwill

June 17, 2009 - 8:36 am EDT

The communist thugs were the instigators, know your facts. If you want trouble, you get trouble. You reap what you sow. They got what they deserve and no person 30 years later should be apoligizing for any of this. And of course the Black council members vote yes. Funny how blacks say they want racism to end, but yet they keep bringing up the past. It just shows their ignorance.

gso me

June 17, 2009 - 9:16 am EDT

Why don't we all try calling them labor organizers for a change, since that's what they were. Unfortunately, there was not a lot of good language back then, particularly in the south, for people who believed in equality and thought all people had equal rights, so Communist was the language we had. As we all know, that was one of the worst things you could call someone then, and it hasn't gotten much better today (particularly in the south). No need to remind me that they called themselves CWP members...again, that was the language we had.

They were a group of young, passionate people who were fighting to improve working conditions in the mills. The Klan was used by mill owners to intimidate workers and keep them from banding together for better conditions. Sadly, working to the same end with someone of color then was still not a common practice in the south, and the Klan was used to remind people, both white and of color, that there would be consequences for such actions. That's why the Klan got involved, not because some group of "Communist Thugs" threatened them. The labor organizers/demonstrators were simply trying to show that they would not be intimidated and kept quiet by one of the longest standing domestic terrorists groups the U.S. has to offer (a.k.a KKK). That's it people! That's it. So, the flyer that read "Death to the Klan" did not mean, literally, that the labor organizers (CWP) demonstrating that day or any other had any intention of actually KILLING THE KLANSMEN, but rather death to the institution to that was/IS the Klan. I can see how that was difficult for the Klan to understand at the time, given that their methods actually were intimidation and sometimes murder, but would hope that by now, if you've taken the time to consider all sides and their actual motivation for being there that day, you might better understand what it was about.

Instead of letting the word Communist freak you out so much, try to get to know what they stood for. Were they trying to violently overthrow our government? NO. Were they trying to make meaningful change for working class people of all races? YES. Could we, down south, benefit from understanding the difference? VERY MUCH!

I will say it again, try to stop the name calling and consider, openly, the motivation of all the groups that were there. And while you are thinking about the groups, consider the individual motivation for folks who were members of the various groups...was it HATE, or a wish to EQUAL CONDITIONS? Maybe, just maybe, if you can do that, you will have a better understanding.

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 9:50 am EDT

What a lame excuse: there was not a lot of good language back then. Give me a break. I seem to recall the words "labor" and "organizers" being around for as long as I can remember. These thugs were Communist and proud of it.

gso me

June 17, 2009 - 10:19 am EDT

Okay, communist and proud of it. Sure, because they believed in communist ideology. Does that, to you, mean they could and should have been openly killed?

Try focusing on the parts of communism they were focusing on instead of the emotional reaction you have to what Communist means to you.

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 10:30 am EDT

Since you want to try to put words in my mouth, I will put a few in words in your mouth as well.
Ok, since the CWP has the right to free speech (which is strange, because communist countries do not have that right) they had the right to call the Klan out and physically attack them when they got there?
Focusing only on the parts you keep harping on, of what happened that day, proves your agenda is not "truth" or "reconciliation".

gso me

June 17, 2009 - 10:51 am EDT

The article we are commenting on is about the statement from the City Council that the events of THAT DAY were regretful, thus my focus on that day. I am by no means afraid to comment on other days or events that led to that one. China Grove was a trainwreck of sorts, but no lives were lost. Harsh words, guns present, sticks present, screaming...all there. One BIG DIFFERENCE, the police were also there in force and it therefore did not turn deadly.

The TRUTH AND RECONICILIATION COMMISSION and report were very focused on getting every person's truth of that day and events leading to it. They invited ALL people to comment, give statements and held many public forums, including three, which were focused on 1) Past (including events that led to that day), 2) Present and 3) Future. Unfortunately, it becomes increasingly clear with each post that the past and present are not very different here in Greensboro, which does not give me much hope for the future.

I am going to stop wasting my day here. Enough. You know where I stand. Again, hats off to the City Council for taking a step forward!!!!!!!!!!!

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 11:12 am EDT

"They invited ALL people to comment, give statements "
That does not mean ALL people came and gave comments or statements. For the most part the only ones who attended the T& R meetings were the ones who want to keep the racial tensions alive in Greensboro. Therefore it cannot be said that ALL sides were equally heard. No one was forced or subpoenaed to testify and give any kind of statements. "All" may have been invited, but did "all" so up? No one can say the T&RC report is gospel. It can be said that only those who had an agenda gave statements.

gso me

June 17, 2009 - 12:57 pm EDT

For a list of public statements, please visit http://www.greensborotrc.org/hear_statements.php. If I am not mistaken, you can listen too.

There were also statements made that did not take place during the public hearings.

Some parties were more willing to speak openly about their truth of the events, than others (for obvious reason, some had gotten away with murder...who would want to risk messing that up?)

You talk about self defense. Hitting cars with sticks vs. getting out, unloading a trunk full of guns, and opening fire on a group of people. Anyway see a difference there?

Glad I checked back in.

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 9:48 pm EDT

I'm glad I checked back in too. So I can set the record straight.
No one got away with murder. No murder was committed. They shot in self-defense. Not my findings, but a court of law.
To call the CWP/Klan event murder is adding fuel to the fire. As I said, your agenda is not truth. Because the truth is the Klan acted in self-defense and that was proven in a court of law. The CWP was found to be the agressors in this event, again not my findings, but the findings of the court.
I have no agenda in the issue, unlike those of you who want to keep this issue alive. And your agenda is in NO way an agenda of healing. One of the African American speakers at the city council meeting said it best. This is history and there are much more important things the council should be doing with it's time. The council should not be giving this issue one more minute of it's time.

Get Real

June 18, 2009 - 1:51 am EDT

"racist cops plus racist judges don't equal justice!"

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 11:15 am EDT

I'm glad to see that you are going to stop wasting your day here. I wish the City council would do the same.
The whole T&RC is a big waste of time and money.

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 10:56 am EDT

"Does that, to you, mean they could and should have been openly killed?"
Openly killed? The klan was attacked first by the CWP. That is NOT "openly killed". That is Self Defense. And that is why the were found Not Guilty.

gso me

June 17, 2009 - 1:09 pm EDT

ALL WHITE JURY IN GREENSBORO at a time when the Police Department would allow a domestic terrorist group known for violence to drive in heavily armed (with Police knowledge) and when confronted, open fire, killing 5, then drive away...that's why they were not convicted.

You are right, some minds will never change. You will always believe that the "communist thugs" got what they asked for, and I will always believe that the Greensboro Police Department, despite a request from demonstration organizers to stay away, had a responsibility to be there to protect everyone (residents, CWP demonstrators and Klan who felt so threatened by their cars being struck by sticks that they needed to shoot and kill some folks).

We are both fully entitled to our opinions on the matter. I think all parties made bad decisions that day and leading up to that day, but the those who could have (and whose responsibility/duty it is) potentially kept things from escalating to that level were the Police. The strong police presence in China Grove provided a different outcome to a similarly volatile situation (with the same players, except of course, the Morningside residents).

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 2:05 pm EDT

"All White Jury". I'm sorry to inform you, but lawyers on both sides get to question prospective jurors.
"a domestic terrorist group known for violence". Per your much touted T&RC report, this statement could be made of the CWP as well.
I too think all parties made bad decisions that day and leading up to that day and for the sake of arguement let's say the police did not provide the protection needed (and I will be glad to argue that more). Now that the Greensboro City Council (without the backing of the majority of Greensboro citizens) has issued a statement of regret. Does that put an end to it? NO! And why is that? It is because there are those who are hell bent on keeping race relations and tensions stirred up in Greensboro. It will never end as long as the city council, the N&R and WFMY continue to give these trouble makers a avenue for their evil deeds. It was news in 1979. It is not news today. It was a tragity back then. Today it is an avenue to more aggression.
At the risk of being redudant, Have you seen anyone on this thread come even remotely close to changing their minds?

Panacea

June 17, 2009 - 11:05 pm EDT

The Commission found otherwise. The Klan shot first. The trials, by all accounts, were a farce.

greywolf

June 17, 2009 - 10:33 am EDT

Another outstanding post, 'gso me.' I completely agree with your position and you are arguing it so well! It is frightening to see how little has changed in Greensboro from 1959 to 1979 to today. Hatred has run amok!

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 11:22 am EDT

"It is frightening to see how little has changed in Greensboro from 1959 to 1979 to today"
Let's see; an African American Mayor, an African American Chairman of the County Commissioners, a majority of Greensboro voters voted for an African American President. Greensboro closed a perfectly good landfill for no other reason than to appease a small group of African Americans.
What city of Greensboro are you talking about? I know you can't be talking about Greensboro, NC.

greywolf

June 17, 2009 - 12:10 pm EDT

Beachwalk, all of that is true, thanks to civil rights legislation of 1964 and 1965, but apparently much to the disgust of the core respondents to this thread. If you believe what you read in the comments above and below, many appear to be ready to recall, impeach, or lynch. As I said, much like 1959.

Beachwalk

June 17, 2009 - 12:26 pm EDT

It is comment like yours that continue to stir the tensions of racism in Greensboro. I do not in anyway agree with the city council on this issue. It has NOTHING to do with race, except to say it only makes matters worst to continue the debate. Which in my opinion is what some high profile African Americans want.
My concern on the landfill has nothing to do with race, only economics. It is a few African Americans who want to make it a race issue, by calling the landfill issue "envoiromental racism". Once again, some think they can only be in the public view (and that seems to be their goal) if there is racial tensions in Greensboro.

tledford

June 18, 2009 - 10:21 pm EDT

Now if you and people who think as you do leave, everything will be PERFECT! :-)

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