A moral deal for Moral Monday protesters
Published August 19, 2013
Editorial by News and Observer, August 18, 2013.
Considering the havoc wreaked by Republicans in the recently adjourned N.C. General Assembly, it’s hard to fight the urge to strike up a campaign to erect a monument on the Capitol grounds for the thousands of Moral Monday protesters who dared to speak truth and get arrested over several weeks.
But part of civil disobedience is paying the price for one’s ... well, disobedience. Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby, who reasonably suggested the protesters be cited rather than arrested, is offering those taken to jail a plea deal involving 25 hours of community service, $180 in court costs and a dismissal. They would not have to accept guilt. It’s a good, common sense deal. Those protesters who are fighting on constitutional grounds are to be admired, however.
The district attorney recognizes that trying all 924 arrestees would be time-consuming and expensive for all involved. Police would be well-advised, when the protests resume as they surely will, to consider going the citation route. Unless, of course, there’s a turnaround in the legislature and Republicans decide to go the reasonable route.
Hmm. No, probably not time to put up the protest signs yet.
August 19, 2013 at 11:35 am
dj anderson says:
They all should insist on going to court, plead not guilty, and challenge their identity for most arrested protesters never were fingerprinted, never had mugshots, and never were behind bars in the jail. They signed a page and went home. This plea offer is just adding to the farce of crime and arrest in a media event.
August 19, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Norm Kelly says:
"Those protesters who are fighting on constitutional grounds are to be admired" - from N&O editorial/blog post
Really? Care to describe those constitutional grounds? State or national constitution? Proving who you are at the most important time in a nations history is anti-constitutional? (obviously i believe voting is an extremely important right.) Nothing in the law can be considered close to a poll tax. No one is being forced to spend any money in order to vote. The law provides for those who can't afford to pay for their photo ID. (of course, just like all government give-away programs, this aspect of the law is sure to be abused!)
What is the cost of a NC photo ID? I've heard that it costs $10 and is valid for 5 years. Is this true? If so, is it really possible that liberals are complaining about $2 per year? Pretty foolish argument if you ask me, which I know you don't care to do.
I'd be willing to guess that most of the people who claim they can't afford $2 per year are also paying $35-75 per month on TV viewing (or more!). Can't afford to get a photo id, but can afford cable tv? Any justification on who can & can't afford a photo id? When I make more money, liberals think nothing of taxing me more,at virtually every level of government. But when someone claims to be poor/disadvantage/undereducated, liberals will bend over backwards with no proof or justification. This attitude is exactly why government subsistence programs get abused. Just like the photo ID law will get abused.
