Cross Burnings in Durham and our Response

EQUALITY NC ALERT
May 26, 2005


Three Crosses burned in Durham
Equality NC calls on members to join in community response


Last night, Wednesday, May 25, "Several motorists spotted a tall
burning cross near Interstate 85 and Hillandale Road around 9:15 p.m.
It was located near the back parking lot of St. Luke's Episcopal
Church. At the same time, callers to 911 reported another cross burning
near Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and South Roxboro Street.

"About an hour later, Durham firefighters responded to another burning
cross on Dillard Street in downtown Durham, just across from the WTVD
studios. Fliers purportedly from the KKK were left at that location.
The United House of Prayer for All People is located nearby. The
crosses were several feet tall. Officers took away the burned crosses
for further investigation". (From ABC 11 Report)

Equality North Carolina encourages our members to participate in the
community gathering and vigils planned for this evening. (Details
below.)

"Equality NC is proud to stand with so many Durham residents in
responding to the KKK and their message of hatred based on race,
religion, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression," said
Ian Palmquist, Executive Director-Programs. "We don't know what
motivated these incidents, but we are united as North Carolinians
opposing bigotry, harassment, discrimination and violence."

The Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham is calling for vigils
at all three locations tonight, Thursday May 26, and believe strongly
that a large community response to the cross burnings is important.
Equality NC joins the NC Peace & Justice Coalition in encouraging
everyone in the area to join in a loud community response to these acts
of violence, hatred, racism and intimidation.

PLEASE COME TONIGHT TO ONE OF THREE CANDLELIGHT VIGILS TO STAND AGAINST
KLAN VIOLENCE, CROSS BURNING, AND RACISM IN OUR COMMUNITIES: BRING
YOUR CANDLES!

DOWNTOWN VIGIL: 6:00 community dinner and discussion on the cross
burnings and the community's response, 7:30 p.m. Vigil: Meet for both
at the Durham Main Library parking lot, at 300 N Roxboro, between
Holloway and Liberty streets. The dinner will take place within
walking distance of the library. The vigil will likely take place near
the site of the cross burning, 2 blocks away at the United House of
Prayer on Dillard and Holloway. If you can help bring a dish, banners,
or candles please Contact Andrew Pearson, kangaroo@email.unc.edu 360
2028.

WEST DURHAM VIGIL: 8:00 p.m. At or near ST. Luke's Episcopal Church,
(919) 286-2273, 1737 Hillandale Rd, Durham 27705, near I-85. The Church
pastor and neighborhood and community groups are involved in the
planning. Contact: John Schelp, bwatu@yahoo.com, Old West Durham
Neighborhood Association,

SOUTH DURHAM VIGIL: 8:00 p.m. on the sidewalk on South Roxboro Street,
near Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in front of the site of the cross
burning. The plan at present is to have everyone gather on the sidewalk
at the site of the burning on South Roxboro Street tonight at 8 p.m.
and bring a candle "to shine some light in this moment of darkness."
Churches and civic organizations are being contacted and fliers are
being printed up. Contact Terry and Ann Lee Mosley,
mosgen@earthlink.net, 489-8592.

WE JUST WON'T TOLERATE... RACISM
NO, WE WON'T TOLERATE... EXPLOITATION
WE JUST WON'T TOLERATE... INJUSTICE
WE'RE GONNA STAND.... WE'RE GONNA STAND...



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EqualityNC

Categories: civil+rights racism Durham North+Carolina cross+burnings