WS Chronicle

In above photo: Winston-Salem skyline

The massacre of nine people in a South Carolina church last month has spurred some actions many thought would never happen.

Who would have thought that the governor of South Carolina, Republican Nikki Haley, would have called for the Confederate flag to come down off the grounds of the South Carolina government complex?

Who would have thought that the governor of Alabama, Robert Bentley, would order that the four rebel banners from a memorial at the Alabama Capitol be taken down?

Who would have thought that the president of the United States would give the eulogy of one of those slain people and “tell it like it is” in America?

While the nation mourns for those lost, those lives should not be lost in vain. The momentum is building as July 13 approaches.

Who would have thought that a federal judge would move a historic lawsuit to Winston-Salem to be heard on July 13?

History is coming to Winston-Salem, in the courts and on the streets, on July 13. As of the date on this Chronicle edition, there is less than two weeks before that date.

The state NAACP reminds everyone that on July 13, the federal court trial of N.C NAACP v. McCrory will be heard. It is the voting rights case against Governor McCrory and North Carolina’s “voter suppression law.”

The state NAACP said this law is the first and the worst since the Shelby v. Holder decision, which gutted the voting rights across the nation.

The N.C. NAACP has been vocal about preparing for that date. The Winston-Salem Branch of the NAACP has joined in the planning with other local organizations. The Ministers’ Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity, social action groups affiliated with churches, Democracy NC and other organizations are organizing.

The trial is expected to take four weeks. The N.C. NAACP has some events planned for July 12-13:

* Sunday, July 12 at 6 p.m., an ecumenical service at Union Baptist Church,
1200 Trade St.

*Monday, July 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., teach-ins at Goler Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 630 N. Patterson Ave.

*Monday, July 13 at 5 p.m., a march and rally beginning at Corpening Plaza, 231 W. 1st St.

While Winston-Salem mourns the nine lives lost in a church in South Carolina, it is time to move forward. History is knocking on Winston-Salem’s door. Will the city be ready for it?