Update: View WWAYtv3's coverage of the press conference.
Immediate Press Release
Date: April 8, 2023
JOIN OUR STAND WITH THE TENNESSEE THREE!!
Gun safety does not deny second amendment rights. It protects lives.
On April 4th,1963, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man of peace was initially scheduled to meet with local Black high school students who attended Williston Industrial High School, here in New Hanover County. However, at the last minute, he was convinced to alter his plans and support the sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee where he was unfortunately assassinated.
It is disgraceful after 55 years of the slain civil rights leader, the Tennessee House of Representatives would expel Representative Justin Jones and Representative Justin Pearson (both African Americans) from the state legislature after their powerful advocacy for gun safety legislation. Additionally, Representative Gloria Thompson (European American) advocated for gun safety was spared by one vote.
This is clearly a racially motivated unconstitutional abuse of power. We feel it should be mandatory that all public officials take a course in cultural competency with implicit bias training or be removed from office. In the 21st century, there is no longer a place in legislation for elected officials to promote a racist agenda.
We have witnessed a swift rise in mass shootings across this nation. Vast gun violence with assault weapons are happening in the workplace, public spaces, churches, and in our schools. Child safety should be our first priority. Those who would rather protect gun laws than children are literally promoting crimes against humanity.
The two African American representatives who were unjustly ousted from office should be reinstated to serve the districts in which they were elected.
We stand in solidarity.
We will host a press conference in response to this grave injustice.
Stand with Us.
Join Us
Open To The Public
Tuesday, April 11th at 11 am
1898 Memorial Park
1018 North 3rd Street
Wilmington North Carolina
Submitted by
Sonya Bennetone
NCDP 7th District Chairperson
Bladen - Brunswick - Columbus - Cumberland (part) - New Hanover, Pender, and Robeson Counties