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Tarboro hosts clinic on wills for social justice

Tarboro hosts clinic on wills for social justice Haroon Saqib TARBORO — In 1910, African Americans owned 15 million acres of land in the United States but, by 1995, they retained only 2 million acres. To help staunch that loss, the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and the Edgecombe County Cooperative Extension Service hosted a free clinic on wills and other end-of-life documents in Tarboro last weekend. A lack of sound legal advice and well-drafted wills in low-wealth, African-American communities has contributed to this dramatic loss. “The land ownership gap between African Americans and other communities is considered a cause of the wealth gap and the political power gap in the United States,” says Becky Jaffe, an attorney at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. Wills help families plan to pass their property from one generation to the next, which increases the likelihood that land will remain in the family. “I never had a will drafted before, and my wife said that we should attend because it was important for our personal property,” said Murray Morning, one of the 13 Edgecombe County residents who participated in the free weekend-long clinic. A team of lawyers from the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and law students from universities around North Carolina drafted more than 40 documents for the attendees. “They were very professional and broke everything down step-by-step without a rush. Some of the nicest people I ever talked to,” added Morning. Clients drafted wills to outline how they wanted to distribute their property for the future. “My wife and I own two acres of property here, and the will was important for me to say what I wanted to do with my property,” said Bobby Yates, a bee farmer in Edgecombe County. “The staff did a good job of helping me understand why the will was important and answered any of my questions about my property.” Clients also had the option of obtaining three other documents: a power of attorney, living will, and healthcare power of attorney. Those documents enable clients to manage their finances and healthcare decisions in the event of a serious illness. “This really takes the hardship off of your spouse and children to try to make these decisions for you when you are unable to speak for yourself,” said Morning. Over the past few years, the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and the Cooperative Extension Service have been helping Edgecombe County residents retain and beneficially manage land. They hope to expand these services further by hosting more wills clinics in the future. Yates added, “This takes a load off of me and I would recommend this to everyone.”

Hundreds march on North Carolina State Capitol in protest of Arizona's SB1070

Hundreds march on North Carolina State Capitol in protest of Arizona's SB1070 By Kosta Harlan | August 1, 2010 Read more articles in Immigrants Rights Raleigh, NC - About 250 immigrant workers, youth and their allies marched on the State Capitol building here, on July 29, in protest of Arizona's SB1070. Protesters chanted and held colorful signs reading, "Stop deportations," "No to SB1070" and "No more racism!" After the march, several community leaders addressed the demonstration to express their solidarity and support in the struggle. One of the members of the North Carolina DREAM Team, Viridiana Martinez, stressed, "No one can speak for us, we have to speak out for ourselves," and urged everyone at the demonstration to continue the struggle for justice. James Andrews, president of the North Carolina AFL-CIO, said, "The North Carolina labor movement supports each of you in the struggle for immigrant rights, human rights and labor rights.” He added, “We will continue to stand with you as long as we see this kind of abuse and exploitation [of your community]." The protest was organized by North Carolina ICE Watch in partnership with Black Workers for Justice, the Father Charlie Mulholland Catholic Worker House, North Carolina DREAM Team, North Carolina Justice Center, the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, Pueblo Unido, the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Student Action with Farmworkers and other immigrant justice organizations. Other organizations including the Umbrella Coalition, the NAACP, United Electrical Workers Local 150 supported the rally.

Permit Issued for controversial Western Wake sewage plant

Permit Issued for controversial Western Wake sewage plant Posted by Rebekah L. Cowell on Fri, Jul 30, 2010 at 4:32 PM After five years of fighting the placement and construction of a wastewater treatment plant within their town's historic district, the New Hill Community has received a setback. Yesterday the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers' district commander Col. Jefferson M. Ryscavage issued the Corp's Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD gives the Western Wake Partners the necessary permit to begin building their $327 million wastewater plant at Site 14. That site is located on a 237-acre parcel of farmland taken by eminent domain by the Partners for the purpose of building the 62-acre wastewater treatment plant. The location lies adjacent to churches, playgrounds, and homes. New Hill is a small town on the fringes of western Wake County. Because it is unincorporated, New Hill’s total size is hard to quantify in acres or miles, and there are no defined boundaries. On a map it sits between Moncure (Chatham County) and Apex. More than five years ago, New Hill residents were upset by an alliance of Cary, Apex, Morrisville and Holly Springs, later known as Western Wake Partners. Soon the partners decided New Hill was an ideal location for them to build a wastewater treatment plant to meet the needs of their towns’ fast-growing populations. The project is more than three years behind schedule. It could be completed by 2013, with construction beginning as early as this year. While the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers felt their were no practicable alternatives to Site 14, there are significant social justice impacts that defy the Corp's statement that the project "is not contrary to the public interest." Site 14 sits directly across the street from the New Hill Baptist Church and playground, and a half-mile away from the First Baptist Church of New Hill; the plant will be built within 1,000 feet of 23 homes. More important, 83 percent of the 230-plus residents immediately affected by the sewage treatment plant are African-American; rural neighbors on fixed incomes or retired and elderly. Chris Brook, attorney with the Southern Coalition of Social Justice representing the New Hill Community Association expresses disappointment after an initial review of the ROD with the NHCA. "The ROD suffers from the same problems that have plagued this entire process: it does not adequately consider environmental justice or water quality concerns and also gives short shrift to alternative sites with fewer human impacts," he said.

March for immigration justice in Arizona

March for immigration justice in Arizona Concerned North Carolinians will hold a march and rally in downtown Raleigh on July 29 to protest racial profiling and discrimination against immigrant and minority communities. The event is part of a national day of action against the enactment of the Arizona law SB 1070, which mandates that all local police and sheriffs demand documents from people they suspect might be in the state without authorization. The marchers will gather at 5 p.m. at Nash Square (the corner of Dawson and Hargett in Raleigh) and walk to the State Capitol for a rally. SB 1070, or the "Arizona Law," requires that all law enforcement agencies determine the immigration status of a person if there is "reasonable suspicion" that the person is unlawfully present. Under this law, people who look "foreign" can be targeted for minor infractions - having a broken taillight or jaywalking - and then asked for proof of legal status. U.S. citizens and legal residents who "look like" foreigners could be at risk of arrest and deportation if they cannot produce acceptable forms of identification to verify their immigration status. While North Carolina has not passed similar legislation, racial profiling continues to be a serious concern across our state. Currently in North Carolina, at least 29 county and local law enforcement agencies are participating in either the 287(g) or "Secure Communities" programs, which are partnerships between local law enforcement and ICE (Immigration Customs and Enforcement). These programs focus on identifying and apprehending immigrants who may be in the country without authorization, resulting in the arrest and deportation of undocumented people after they have been arrested for minor violations. This has led to the widespread fracturing of families and created a climate of heightened fear in our communities. On July 29, the marchers will call on state and federal officials to stop unfair treatment of immigrants and to work for a just immigration policy that includes compassion for those who are trying to overcome poverty and political oppression. Participating groups oppose racial profiling in Arizona, North Carolina and throughout the country. The marchers seek laws that are inclusive and respect the dignity of all human beings. "From Arizona to North Carolina: March for Immigrant Justice" is being organized by NC ICE Watch in partnership with Black Workers for Justice, the Fr. Charlie Mulholland Catholic Worker House, NC DREAM Team, NC Justice Center, the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, Pueblo Unido, the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Student Action with Farmworkers and community leaders.

SCSJ Immigration Client Released from ICE Facility

Written by Haroon Saqib

Despite promises to change its detention and deportation policies to focus on convicted dangerous felons, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to waste to detain people who are merely accused of minor violations.

SCSJ staff attorney Marty Rosenbluth recently defended the case of S.O., an immigrant woman who was arrested by local police after a minor domestic quarrel that happened to be witnessed by a law enforcement official. S.O. had been living in the United States for over 10 years and was married to a U.S. citizen.

A local court judge agreed that she was not a threat and decided to release her with an oral promise to return to court for her pending trial. Despite this, ICE stepped in by taking custody of S.O. An immigration judge, contradicting the local court, set an extremely high bond and, when her husband could not pay it, she had to remain in detention awaiting deportation.

This case raises serious questions about whether ICE is meeting its promise to focus its detention and deportation efforts on dangerous criminals, and its assurance that it would pursue deportation only after a person is convicted of a crime in court. Rosenbluth raised this issue at a recent White House meeting on immigration reform and was able to use the case as a real example of how ICE was not keeping its promises.

Fortunately, Rosenbluth was recently able to win S.O.’s release from an Alabama detention facility. However, she was released late in the day without any money or transportation to return to her home in North Carolina. A friend of SCSJ was fortunately able to meet her and make sure he arrived home safely.

Still, her husband was ecstatic and left SCSJ a heartwarming message.

This recent success provides support that our efforts are changing the immigration rights landscape, even though ICE is dragging its feet on reform.

“This case is a powerful example of the strength behind SCSJ’s community lawyering model of combining advocacy with legal representation,” says Rosenbluth.

New Hill receives grant to continue battle

New Hill receives grant to continue battle New Hill residents recently received a financial boost in the ongoing battle to keep a regional sewage plant out of the heart of their community. The Southern Coalition for Social Justice won a $10,000 grant from the Impact Fund on behalf of the New Hill Community Association. The grant will be used to support potential litigation opposing the Western Wake Partners proposed placement of a sewage treatment plant in the center of New Hill. “We will continue to fight the placement of this facility in our community through lobbying, organizing, and, if necessary, litigation,” said New Hill Community Association President, Paul Barth. “This welcome support from the Impact Fund only adds to the resources at our disposal.” Based in California, the Impact Fund provides support for litigation to achieve economic and social justice. The grant will supplement community and SCSJ resources in support of litigation should it prove necessary to combat the siting of the sewage treatment plant. “This sewage treatment plant would unfairly burden our predominantly African-American community for the benefit of the predominantly white affluent communities of Cary, Apex, Holly Springs and Morrisville,” said Rev. James E. Clanton of New Hill First Baptist Church and a leader in the NHCA. Chris Brook, staff attorney at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, noted that the Western Wake Partners “too frequently” excluded New Hill residents from the decision-making process when choosing a site for the plant. “Alternative sites with far fewer impacts on predominantly African-American neighborhoods and the entire New Hill community have not been thoroughly evaluated,” said Brook. “The impacts of the 38 million gallon per day discharge into the Cape Fear River have not been adequately considered.” Read more: Fuquay-Varina Independent - Your source for local news, classifieds, business listings and events.

$10,000 to fight treatment plant

$10,000 to fight treatment plant NEW HILL -- The Southern Coalition for Social Justice won a $10,000 grant that they say may be used to litigate against the placement of a wastewater treatment plant in the unincorporated western Wake community of New Hill. The grant was awarded by the California-based Impact Fund, which provides support for litigation aimed at creating economic and social justice. Cary, Apex, Morrisville and Holly Springs are pursuing the regional sewage plant in New Hill to answer a state mandate to return treated water to the Cape Fear River and to accommodate their growing populations. A decision on the placement of that plant could come this month. The coalition claims that New Hill residents, predominantly African-American, were not adequately consulted during the planning of the site and that other potential sites would have fewer negative impacts. "We will continue to fight the placement of this facility in our community through lobbying, organizing, and, if necessary, litigation," New Hill Community Association President Paul Barth said. "This welcome support from the Impact Fund only adds to the resources at our disposal."

NC Case Illustrates Immigration Power Abuse

See link for audio. GREENSBORO, N.C. - It's a story that seems like it was ripped from the script of a TV movie, but for a North Carolina immigrant this tale of abuse sheds light on the many challenges immigrants face when the system breaks down. As part of a plea agreement, a Durham immigration officer admitted to threatening a woman with deportation if she did not have sex with him. The officer, Bedri Kulla, met the immigrant and single mother on a social networking website, where he claimed to be a flight attendant. The woman's lawyer, Marty Rosenbluth, who is a staff attorney with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, says the woman was put in a drastic position. "She quite innocently met him for coffee and when they met for coffee he pulls out this badge and says, 'Oh, I work for immigration and if you don't go on a date with me I'm going to have you deported.'" Kulla, who himself is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Canada, lost his job and will be sentenced on August 12 after being found guilty of a federal civil rights violation and two counts of blackmail. Rosenbluth said the story was hard to believe initially, but easy to prove since Kulla used his real picture on the social networking site, showed up at the woman's workplace, and sent multiple emails. At one point during his pursuit, Kulla appeared at the victim's place of work, holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a deportation notice in the other. The Southern Coalition for Social Justice routinely handles immigration issues. Rosenbluth says it's not uncommon for people to take advantage of an immigrant's situation. "It is a really clear cut example of how, you know, people just think they can do whatever they want to folks who are undocumented, but she stood up and said, 'No, I'm not going to be a victim, you're not going to do this to me.'" The woman is now eligible for U.S. citizenship through a special provision for victims of crime. Stephanie Carroll Carson, Public News Service - NC

New Hill receives grant to continue battle

New Hill receives grant to continue battle New Hill residents recently received a financial boost in the ongoing battle to keep a regional sewage plant out of the heart of their community. The Southern Coalition for Social Justice won a $10,000 grant from the Impact Fund on behalf of the New Hill Community Association. The grant will be used to support potential litigation opposing the Western Wake Partners proposed placement of a sewage treatment plant in the center of New Hill. “We will continue to fight the placement of this facility in our community through lobbying, organizing, and, if necessary, litigation,” said New Hill Community Association President, Paul Barth. “This welcome support from the Impact Fund only adds to the resources at our disposal.” Based in California, the Impact Fund provides support for litigation to achieve economic and social justice. The grant will supplement community and SCSJ resources in support of litigation should it prove necessary to combat the siting of the sewage treatment plant. “This sewage treatment plant would unfairly burden our predominantly African-American community for the benefit of the predominantly white affluent communities of Cary, Apex, Holly Springs and Morrisville,” said Rev. James E. Clanton of New Hill First Baptist Church and a leader in the NHCA. Chris Brook, staff attorney at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, noted that the Western Wake Partners “too frequently” excluded New Hill residents from the decision-making process when choosing a site for the plant. “Alternative sites with far fewer impacts on predominantly African-American neighborhoods and the entire New Hill community have not been thoroughly evaluated,” said Brook. “The impacts of the 38 million gallon per day discharge into the Cape Fear River have not been adequately considered.”

Wills Clinic in Edgecombe County

Two SCSJ attorneys, four SCSJ legal interns, and four law student volunteers conducted a pro bono wills’ clinic July 9-11 in Tarboro, North Carolina. With a huge assist from the Edgecombe County Cooperative Extension office, attorneys and students discussed end-of-life issues with 13 Edgecombe County residents. These discussion led to the production of more than 40 documents, including wills, living wills, powers of attorney, and health care powers of attorney, for residents who otherwise could not have afforded the services. “End of life planning is a key to preventing problems we frequently see in our office, such as heirs’ property and associated African-American land loss. This clinic was a great way of not only dealing with the source of these problems, but also providing pro bono legal assistance to an underserved community,” says SCSJ staff attorney Becky Jaffe, who coordinated the clinic.

New Fiscal Year Brings Changes to Healthcare Coverage

“Apex can’t actually prohibit abortions, whether it’s for an employee or not. But our plan can,” says Republican Apex mayor Keith Weatherly. Indeed, the town of Apex has recently removed coverage for abortions from the city’s health care plan except in cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother is at risk. Provoked by anti-choice State Rep. Paul Stam, numerous counties and the NC League of Municipalities, which determines the plan for over 200 municipalities, have quickly followed suit. More counties are now threatening to do the same. However, abortion coverage is a normal part of comprehensive health coverage. More than 85 percent of private insurance plans provide coverage. Erica Scott of NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina and Patricia Dillon of Planned Parenthood say, “Removing abortion coverage from an employee benefit package is a clear example of politicians placing their own divisive agenda ahead of what is best for the citizens of the towns and counties they represent.” To read more about this issue, click here.

Building Real "Secure Communities" in North Carolina

"Building Real 'Secure Communities': Addressing the Effects of Local/Federal Cooperation in Immigration Enforcement" is a training initiative designed to equip community-based organizations in the Triangle with the skills necessary to systematically collect data documenting abuses of human rights abuses occurring under ICE ACCESS programs. The Triangle CF helped the Southern Coalition for Social Justice train these groups so the data could be shared with policy and legal advocates in order to effectively engage in public policy debate about local enforcement of immigration law.