by David Ulmer
WakeLP Chair

George Floyd was murdered. Whether or not he committed a crime doesn’t excuse the murder. People have a right to protest that crime and demand justice. The fact that some people may commit vandalism and loot doesn’t cancel out the right to protest.

America still has a race problem. We’ve come a long way in race relations, but systemic, institutional racism still exists. All men and women are created equal, but they’re still not treated that way by the justice system.

All your freedoms, all the time is more than a slogan. It is a promise – and a responsibility.

Before African Americans can begin to heal, their outrage extinguished, and they no longer need to protest time and again, we must radically overhaul the criminal justice system. We must listen to them with open minds and hearts. We must understand the despair. Their healing is our healing.

Those who enforce the law aren’t above it. Hold police officers fully accountable for their actions. End qualified immunity.

Abolish laws that criminalize what people consume or what they do with their bodies. End laws that criminalize the economic activity of poor people because the government isn't getting a cut of the money.

These steps are just a start. Groups like Campaign Zero and Raleigh PACT have some good ideas. Let’s talk about them.

We all want peace. So, we all must work for justice.

In a historic virtual presidential nominating convention, Libertarian Party delegates from 50 states and the District of Columbia nominated Dr. Jo Jorgensen for President of the United States Saturday evening.

“I’m glad that the voters will finally have a real choice because the non-choice between Trump and Biden is still an option between big government and more big government,” said Jorgensen. “The volunteers are already pouring in, and it looks like it will be the most massive volunteer effort that the LP has ever seen. It is really growing from the grassroots.”

Jorgensen holds a doctorate in industrial/organizational psychology from Clemson University, where she teaches. A native of Grayslake, Ill., Jorgensen is a wife, mother, and grandmother currently living in Greenville, S.C.

She ran for South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District in 1992. After a statewide televised debate with her Democratic and Republican opponents, Dr. Jorgensen’s debate performance was widely praised in the media, and the Greenville News referred to her as “a rose between two thorns.”

In 1996, she was the Libertarian candidate for vice president.

We’re still waiting for things to get back to normal – the old normal, that is. Hopefully, by the time you read this, the governor will have graciously consented to move North Carolina into Phase II of reopening. WakeLP is planning a live speaker for July and maybe June. More details later.

But even if you stay at home, you can still work for liberty. Here are some ways.

Call Your Legislator for Fair Districts

The state General Assembly is back in session this week. While we expect them to focus on COVID-19, there are other important issues we should keep up the pressure on them to support. One is redistricting.

There are currently five bills, all with broad tripartisan support, languishing in the NCGA: H69 (Reives-McGrady), H140 (McGrady-Reives), and H648 (Warren-Hanig). Fair Districts NC, a coalition including the Libertarian Party, is urging people to contact their legislatures to keep up the pressure for their consideration.

The Virginia legislature recently passed the ballot initiative to create a redistricting commission. If voters approve it this fall, Virginia will become the first state in the South to establish an independent redistricting commission. So this is the right time to act.

While the most effective method for lobbying is visiting, a telephone call is a second-best way, and best under current limitations. You can look up your legislator here.

Read more here.

It’s also important to answer the one-constitutional question in the U.S. Census: How many people live at this address? The census is delayed, but the data collected will still be used to draw new Congressional, judicial, and legislative districts for 2022.

Fair Districts expects at least one and probably two special NCGA sessions, one around June and most likely another after the election, especially if control of the state House or Senate shifts. Then the new legislative session starts in January, and that’s the last chance to pass reform for this redrawing.

Look up your legislator here.