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GREENSBORO — Even after all the discussion that has occurred since five people were killed in November 1979, expect more conversations in Greensboro on race and people getting along.

But the tone might change after the City Council issued a statement of regret Tuesday for the Klan-Nazi shootings that killed five and injured 10.

“The main thing is acknowledging it, and making sure that nothing like that ever happens here again,” said Bob Peters, who served on the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

In 2005 the City Council said it would not consider the commission’s recommendations. In 2006, the commission suggested that the city apologize for the shootings.

The shootings happened Nov. 3, 1979, during a “Death to the Klan” march through the Morningside Homes public housing complex. A group of Ku Klux Klan members and neo-Nazis confronted marchers. A torrent of gunshots ensued.

Five marchers died and 10 were injured in the chaos, which was captured by television cameras. No one was convicted in two criminal trials, although a jury found two Greensboro police officers and others liable in a civil trial. The city ultimately paid a $351,000 judgment to the family of one of the protesters.

The commission’s report was handed in 2006 to the city’s Human Relations Commission, which this year has recommended a statement of regret.

Former Mayor Keith Holliday agreed with the idea of a regret, not apology.

“What we need to do is to focus on the contemporary or current issues of the day,” he said, adding that immigration now overshadows black/white race relations in the city.

The shootings have, through the years, been held up as an example of inequity between black and white communities in Greensboro.

But Councilman Zack Matheny suggested Wednesday it’s time to get over that idea.

“My generation is saying, 'Let us move forward, look at all we’ve accomplished.’ We’ve got an African American mayor, leader of the commissioners and the superintendent,” he said, referring to Yvonne Johnson, Melvin “Skip” Alston and Maurice “Mo” Green.

Matheny voted against issuing the statement of regret with Mike Barber, Mary Rakestraw and Trudy Wade in a 5-4 vote.

“When was the last time that you had a race riot?” he said. “How many people woke up (Wednesday) morning and said, 'That’s all I wanted, so I can heal now, because the City Council passed 5-4 the statement of regret’?”

Goldie Wells, a current councilwoman who was present on the day of the shootings in 1979, said healing can begin now.

“The things that keep us so bound are secrets and the lack of communication,” she said, “and we need to go on and talk about it and find out about why people feel the way they feel.”

And she wants to get past the issue. “It’s about forgiving and moving on,” Wells said. “And that’s kept us bound for a long time.”

Contact Gerald Witt at 373-7008 or gerald.witt@news-record.com