The state House tentatively acknowledged the Wilmington race riots this afternoon.
In a 67-47 vote, legislators passed the second reading of a bill that recognized the 1898 riots that ousted an integrationist government in Wilmington and bolstered segregationist Democrats.
Rep. Thomas Wright, a Wilmington Democrat, said it was one of 10 bills related to recommendations from the Wilmington Race Riot Commission.
An amendment to add wording acknowledging that Democrats, The News & Observer publisher Josephus Daniels and others were also behind the riots failed.
That led some Republicans to vote against the measure. Others, such as Hickory Republican Rep. Edgar Starnes, were concerned it would lay the groundwork for reparations or other legal measures.
Rep. John Blust, a Greensboro Republican, said he wasn't sure why legislators should bother, since the riots happened several generations ago.
"Nobody in my district had anything to do with any of these activities," he said.
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Re: Acknowledged
Actually, two Republicans voted for it: Reps. Carolyn Justice of Hampstead and Tim Moore of Shelby.
Republican Reps. Debbie Clary of Cherryville, Wil Neumann of Belmont, and Tracy Walker of Wilkesboro had excused absences during the vote.
You can see the vote count here.
— RTB