RALEIGH (AP) -- A House committee today approved a bill that sets the foundation for a series of measures stemming from a race riot in Wilmington more than a century ago.
The measure simply acknowledges that the 1898 Wilmington race riot is a true historical event, and describes it as "a conspiracy of a white elite that used intimidation and force to replace a duly elected local government."
The bill is one of several that stem from recommendations made by a commission created to study the riot.
Other measures yet to be acted upon would order the state to develop a curriculum to teach about the riot in schools, and would set policies affecting the ability of people to seek compensation for damages, injuries or death suffered by their ancestors.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
