Condemn Sheriff Bizzell's Derogatory Statements about Latinos

To:

The Honorable Commissioner Cookie Pope, Chairman
The Honorable Commissioner Wade M. Stewart, Vice-Chairman
The Honorable Commissioner Allen L. Mims, Jr.
The Honorable Commissioner Jeffrey P. Carver
The Honorable Commissioner W. Ray Woodall
The Honorable Commissioner DeVan Barbour
The Honorable Commissioner Tony Braswell

We respectfully address each of you on behalf of a coalition of organizations representing concerned citizens from Johnston County and across North Carolina. As you are aware Sheriff Steve Bizzell was recently quoted in the Raleigh News & Observer making numerous inflammatory comments about the Latino community of Johnston County. These remarks are evidence of deep racial and ethnic hostility in the Sheriffs own personal beliefs, as well as an indication that racial prejudice is alive and well in the community in which he operates and makes such comments so freely.

Sheriff Bizzells remarks raise serious doubts about his departments ability to protect and serve all residents of Johnston County regardless of race or ethnicity. His demonstrated conduct is unbecoming of a public official and it conflicts with his sworn duty to uphold justice. Blanket stereotypes made by the Countys top law enforcement official are especially alarming because these sentiments are highly likely reflected in the actions of the Deputies under his supervision. A publicly elected official has a duty to uphold, apply and enforce the laws without regard to race, ethnicity or national origin.

Stereotypes such as those expressed by Sheriff Bizzell tear at the fabric of our North Carolina communities by encouraging our worst tendencies toward fear and misunderstanding of those who are not Whitestereotypes we had hoped were long gone and that we, as a nation, have tried to remedy. The Sheriffs comments are dehumanizing and vilifying of the Latino community, and they are echoes of a history in which African-Americans were terrorized and treated as less than human in our state. Such remarks will surely alienate a significant population of Johnston County who has entrusted its safety to the Sheriffs Department.

As concerned North Carolina residents, we urge you to give this matter your full consideration and attention by requesting Sheriff Bizzells immediate resignation. Sheriff Bizzells behavior is an embarrassment to our great state. As members of the Board of Commissioners, it is incumbent upon you to take a stand against intolerance and racial profiling in your County. Furthermore, we urge you to voice your condemnation against inflammatory rhetoric and racist conduct. We trust in your leadership to affirm the value and contributions of all residents of your County as well as in your courage to correct the wrongs committed by Sheriff Bizzell as soon as possible.