Fatal Shooting in Elizabeth City Joins Rash of Police Shootings of Minority Men

Andrew Brown Jr. of Elizabeth City has been added to the soul-numbing list of black men killed by police in the United States recently. Brown, 42, was shot on Wednesday as Pasquotank sheriff's deputies attempted to serve a warrant. As of Friday, the Pasquotank sheriff's office has declined to release body cam footage of the arrest citing North Carolina law. That has helped create tension in the northeast North Carolina town, as protesters have taken to the streets to demand an explanation of why Brown was killed. Witnesses interviewed by several news outlets said Brown was attempting to drive away after an encounter with law enforcement and was hit with a barrage of bullets from officers on the street. WRAL News, said that in the recorded radio traffic, officers can be heard saying, "We have shots fired. 421 Perry Street. EMS and Fire en route ... Law enforcement on scene advising shots fired and need EMS. We've got one male 42 years of age ... gun shot to the back ... we do have a viable pulse at this time." Brown was later pronounced dead at the scene. No guns or drugs were found at the scene.

Despite being hesitant to release body cam footage, the Pasquotank sheriff's office was quick to release information about Brown's criminal history. WRAL quoted Chief Deputy Daniel Fogg saying, “This was an arrest warrant around a felony drug charge. Mr. Brown was a convicted felon with a history of resisting arrest. Our training and our policy indicate under such circumstances, there is a high risk of danger.”

See the WRAL article here. A CNN story on the incident can be seen here.

At the same time that police shootings seem to be on the rise, GOP-led state legislatures are pushing laws to crack down on protests. The New York Times reports that dozens of states have passed laws to punish or increase punishments for protesters. (See article here). New laws include provisions in Oklahoma and Iowa that protect drivers from liability if they strike and injure protesters. According to the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, several similar provisions have been proposed here in North Carolina.

Biden to Address Joint Session of Congress Wednesday April 28 at 9 PM

Joe Biden, who has probably attended as many Presidential speeches to Congress as anyone, will present his own first address on Wednesday night at 9 pm. Seated behind him will be the Vice President and the House Speaker, now, for the first time ever, both women. Only 200 people are expected to attend due to COVID, a fraction of the 1600 who usually attend. In this speech, which will replace the traditional State of the Union address, Biden is expected to review the progress of his first 100 days, and to look ahead to his plans for the administration's next steps.

DOING Now a Committee of the New Hanover Democratic Party

Democrats Organizing in Neighborhood Groups (DOING) is now a committee of the NHC Democratic Party. DOING works to elect Democrats up and down the ballot and strengthen the organizing efforts of our precincts. If you are a representative to the DOING Committee from your precinct, please check your email for the ZOOM link. If anyone else would like to participate, including Democrats from unorganized precincts or who did not attend the March meeting to volunteer, please contact Joanne Durham at [email protected]. Our goal is for every precinct to be represented!

EVENTS

DOING Meeting on Zoom -- April 27

When: Tuesday, April 27, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

DOING (Democrats Organizing in Neighborhood Groups) will hold a ZOOM meeting Tuesday. If you are a representative to the DOING Committee from your precinct, please check your email for the ZOOM link. If anyone else would like to participate, including Democrats from unorganized precincts or who did not attend the March meeting to volunteer, please contact Joanne Durham at [email protected].

Biden Address to Joint Session of Congress -- April 28

When: Wednesday, April 28, 9:00 p.m.

Where: Major Networks and online

Perhaps the most important speech of Biden's presidency. You can watch online at PBS or find it on the major networks.

Upcoming Democratic Events To Note On Your Calendar

2021 Congressional District Convention Meeting – Saturday, May 22nd

2021 Summer SEC Meeting – Saturday, August 7th

James Cummings and Richard Poole

If you have any announcements, comments, questions or concerns regarding this email series, please contact the Editor here.

Paid for by the New Hanover County Democratic Party

Mailing Address:

NHCDP

PO Box 3446

Wilmington, NC 28412

Office Address:

5041 New Centre Drive

Wilmington, NC 28403

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