NAACP holds symposium on Race Riot

NC NAACP President Rev. Barber spoke to a filled ballroom about not only asking for recognition of what he calls terrorists riots, but legal response as well.

The NAACP supports reparations for descendants of those affected by the riots. A group including scholars, lawyers, historians and others discussed the issue.

Barber says you can’t get the present right if you’re still dealing with wrong-doing’s of the past.

Rev. Barber said, “Anytime three to five percent of a population were killed or thrown in the river and a political coup d’état based on race and white supremacy, that was horrific and we have to deal with it.”

Barber told the group he won’t be satisfied until there is reparation and repair.

Members of the 1898 Wilmington Race Riot Commission have offered recommendations of how to deal with the events of 1898, including reparations.

Barber says he and others will continue to bring those to the attention of lawmakers.