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Smithfield, N.C. — The North Carolina NAACP will hold a prayer vigil in Johnston County this weekend to challenge intolerance.
The vigil will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Smithfield courthouse.
Earlier this month, Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell made controversial comments to a reporter for The News & Observer newspaper in Raleigh.
In a Sept. 7 article in which Bizzell talked about his frustration with the changing face of the county where he grew up, he called Mexicans "trashy" and said the growing Latino population in his county was "breeding like rabbits."
"Everywhere you look, it's like little Mexico around here," he said in the article.
Bizzell later apologized for the remarks, saying his comments were targeted at illegal immigrants and not all Latinos.
Twenty-six civil rights organizations sent a letter to commissioners last week calling for Bizzell’s resignation. Hispanic media group Que Pasa has also called for Bizzell to resign.
NAACP to hold vigil in Johnston County
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- Reporter: Adam Owens
- Photographer: Mark Simpson
- Web Editors: Matthew Burns, Kathy Hanrahan
RELATED TOPICS: Johnston County, Raleigh, Civil Rights
Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
153 Comments
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September 26, 2008 8:54 p.m.
September 26, 2008 7:24 p.m.
September 26, 2008 7:24 p.m.
Thanks
September 26, 2008 7:10 p.m.
So far as I can tell 80% of what is posted here should be pulled on that basis. I see people saying unkind things about Hispanics (no, Mexican is not the correct general term), the NAACP --- Does nobody have anything positive to say?
Sounds to me like a prayer vigil is exactly what's needed. Sheriff apologized for his comments -- which were indeed way out of line for a public servant. So why are y'all so busy trying to revive them? Better you should all go pray for some patience and some kindness. I sure don't hear much of either here.
September 26, 2008 6:59 p.m.