Title
Resolution of Apology by the Greensboro City Council for the Events that Have Come to be Known as The “November 3, 1979 Massacre”
Body
Council Priority: Create an Environment to Promote Economic Development Opportunities and Job Creation; Maintain Infrastructure and Provide Sustainable Growth Opportunities; Promote Public Safety & Reduce Crime; Exceptional Customer Service and a Diverse City Government Workforce and Ensure Fiscal Stewardship, Transparency, & Accountability
Department: Legislative/Legal
Council District: All
Public Hearing: No
Advertising Date/By: No
Contact 1 and Phone: Mayor Nancy Vaughan, 373-2396
Contact 2 and Phone: City Attorney Chuck Watts, 373-2320
PURPOSE:
To provide a comprehensive summary of the relevant events associated with what has come to be known as the “Greensboro Massacre” on November 3, 1979, to recognize the many of the changes that have occurred at the City of Greensboro, to apologize for whatever the City may have done or not done in connection with those events and to provide a scholarship in memory of each of the lives lost as a result of the Greensboro Massacre which will incentivize research on the issues of racial and social justice that help this community reconcile the remaining vestiges of the events of November 3, 1979 and that may even help city officials understand these issues in the context of future events in this community and around the nation.
BACKGROUND:
The history of the Greensboro Massacre and the City’s efforts to move the community beyond those events using various committees and council votes have not seemed to effectively bring a conclusion to the community’s angst about what happened and how the City dealt with it at the time and since. Thus, this is a renewed effort to do just that.
BUDGET IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The City Attorney’s Office supports the resolution’s adoption by the City Council.