Civil Liberties

The State Bar unsuccessfully attempts to block Betsy Wolfenden's deposition transcript from public view

betsyforjudge — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:39:55 -0500

After Attorney Betsy J. Wolfenden testified at her January 29, 2010 deposition regarding the dysfunction and corruption in Orange County District Court, the North Carolina State Bar unscussfully attempted to seal her deposition transcript from the public.

Emily's story and how I got disbarred; Emily speaks out

betsyforjudge — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 22:54:59 -0500

EMILY’S STORY AND HOW I GOT DISBARRED

In 2003, Emily, a young mother who was raised in the Mormon faith, was assaulted by her daughter’s father in Nevada. She fled with her infant son, Matthew, to the safety of her brother’s home in Orange County, North Carolina. When Emily decided to return home to Nevada a few weeks later, her brother encouraged her to leave her son with him in North Carolina until Emily determined it was safe to return to Nevada with Matthew.

Any Chance of a Reasoned, Civil Dialogue?

George C — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:14:14 -0500

I'm a big supporter of the IFC and its mission. And I support its desire to create a new type of facility, a transitional facility for homeless men and the need to relocate somewhere. And I'm disappointed that there is opposition to the proposed site for that new facility. But I also think that the dialogue has gone beyond civility and that the neighborhoods adjoining the proposed site are being unfairly demonized. In the 12 years I have served on Town advisory boards I have seen many neighborhoods oppose many projects for many different reasons - some good, some bad, some rational, some irrational.

Daniel Pollitt rests at last

Ruby Sinreich — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:06:20 -0600

Dan Pollitt was a dedicated activist and leader in our community for decades. He passed away this morning after a lifetime dedicated to peace and justice. My heart goes out to his wife Senator Ellie Kinnaird and the rest of his family. But the loss is all of ours. Pollitt was a beacon, lighting the way forward from just a little ahead of the rest of us.

Here's the Independent's profile of him from 10 years ago:

Chapel Hill attorney Bill Massengill nails it: "He's the aggressive-liberal gentleman. Dan can aggressively press his ideas without offending people." Even when those ideas are quite hopelessly out of fashion--as they so very often are.
Take, for example, Pollitt's defense of free association amid Red Scare panic. Or integration in the Jim Crow South. It took the times some time to catch up with Pollitt on those two.
read more

What do you think about banning hand-held cell phones while driving?

penny rich — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:03:53 -0600

At the Town Council meeting on January 25, 2010, I petitioned the council to open discussions about prohibiting hand held cell phone usage while driving in Chapel Hill. I also proposed that the town hold a public forum on this topic where concerned citizens can express their opinions about this issue. Since the election I have heard from many citizens who feel that it is becoming increasingly dangerous to drive in Chapel Hill because people are not paying attention to the road. The problem is particularly bad on campus.

How the Town of Chapel Hill stole Halloween

zachward — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:37:40 -0500

"This is a local event,” Mayor Kevin Foy said in an official Town video. “If you can walk to Halloween, you’re invited. If you can’t, don’t come.”

Wow. Watch the Youtube clip. Lame.

(3 min 15 sec) CUE CREEPY MUSIC and Watch Mayor KEVIN FOY DISAPPEAR INTO A MISTY FOG CLOUD. REALLY? Really Chapel Hill? You can't make this Homegrown Halloween initiative "cool" with special effects or rationalization. Limiting the growth of events like Halloween hurts the "Brand" of our Town and ultimately has a negative effect on our Local Economy.

National Equality March & Presidential Speech

Jake Gellar-Goad — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:05:07 -0500

It's happening right now. Today is also national coming out day. And President Obama gave a speech yesterday on the eve of this event. A busy weekend for gay rights.

National coming out day "is an internationally-observed civil awareness day for coming out and discussion about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues" (wikipedia). And today is also the day of the National Equality March which comes just as the Hate Crimes law (Matthew Sheppard Act) is about to be signed into law, and just before Congressional hearings on repealing DADT are going to take place.

NC Pride Weekend

Jake Gellar-Goad — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:01:35 -0500

http://www.ncpride.org

I'm sure everyone has seen the rainbow flags downtown, and in case you were wondering, it is pride weekend here in NC. The biggest events were the speeches, festival, and parade over in Durham today, but it is something the whole triangle & to some degree the state gets into. If you check out this site, you'll see events all over, including several in Chapel Hill. It marks the 25th anniversary of this celebration. There were speeches, festival grounds, food, vendors, booths, and lots of fun to be had. I believe it is important to see this as not only a good time, but also as a large political rally with a positive message since this was the first NC Pride since prop 8 & the protests

Peace and protest, justice and injustice: marking Chapel Hill's sacred space

Guest Author — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:34:34 -0500

[I read this entry by Chapel Hill Town Council Member Sally Greene on her blog and asked for permissionto cross-post it here. She graciously agreed. Tomorrow the Town will unveil the stone marker at Peace and Justice Plaza. =Ruby]

A little-known fact: grass used to grow around the flag pole in front of the old post office on Franklin Street. That's why those red brick pavers are there--as filler. It was only in latter times, probably since 1979 when the town purchased the property from the federal government, that the space was paved over.

Luckily for these four young men, it was grass during Holy Week in 1964 when they decided to fasten themselves to this place 24 hours a day, fasting in protest of the Town of Chapel Hill's refusal to pass a public accommodations ordinance.

Pat Cusick, LaVert Taylor, John Dunne, James Foushee (in the photo) and countless other activists will be remembered this Sunday at 3 p.m. as we unveil and formally dedicate the Peace and Justice tribute marker at the site we've named Peace and Justice Plaza.

League of Women Voters Candidate Forum

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:31:13 -0500