A Proud Day for North Carolina: Governor Beverly Perdue Signs Racial Justice Act

Yesterday, legislators, advocates, citizens and media packed the Old Capitol Building in downtown Raleigh to witness history as Gov. Bevely Perdue signed the Racial Justice Act into law.

With the passage of the Racial Justice Act, North Carolina becomes only the second state in the US to pass legislation addressing racial bias in capital sentencing.

Click Here to Watch Video on ABC 11

Governor Perdue delivered a powerful speech before the packed gallery, stating in certain terms that race can never play a role in sentences of death.

"I have always been a supporter of death penalty, but I have always believed it must be carried out fairly," Perdue said. "The Racial Justice Act ensures that when North Carolina hands down our state's harshest punishment to our most heinous criminals the decision is based on the facts and the law, not racial prejudice."

Please take a moment to thank Gov. Perdue for her integrity, courage and leadership in signing the Racial Justice Act.

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November 22, 2009

Subject:

Dear Governor Perdue,

Thank you for your leadership in signing the Racial Justice Act. With the passage of this historic reform, NC acknowledges that race has played a role in our use of capital punishment and offers a remedy to such racial bias. I am proud to see my Governor stand beside so many Legislators, concerned advocates and individuals and courageously say to the rest of America: if and when the death penalty is to be handed down, it can never be on the impermissible basis of race. Thank you for your integrity and leadership.
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