NC: Activists push for Johnston sheriff Bizzell to quit
Activists push for Johnston sheriff Bizzell to quit
His comments on Mexicans continue to rankle
By Kristin Collins, Staff Writer
Immigrant and civil rights activists say they will not be silent until Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell resigns.
About two dozen advocacy organizations signed onto a letter Friday to the Johnston County commissioners, asking the board to encourage the sheriff to leave his post in the wake of public statements that Mexicans are "trashy" and "breeding like rabbits."
"Sheriff Bizzell's remarks raise serious doubts about his department's ability to protect and serve all residents of Johnston County regardless of race or ethnicity," reads the letter, drafted primarily by the statewide Hispanic advocacy group El Pueblo.
Others that signed included the N.C. Justice Center, the Latino Community Credit Union and the North Carolina chapters of the NAACP and the National Organization for Women.
The groups sent a similar letter to Craven County Sheriff Jerry Monette, who took over presidency of the N.C. Sheriffs Association in July. Bizzell held the post before Monette.
Irene Godinez, advocacy director for El Pueblo, said the group is also planning a prayer vigil outside the Johnston County courthouse next weekend, which she said would allow the county's Hispanic residents to "come together and do some healing."
And the Rev. William Barber, president of the North Carolina branch of the NAACP, said he is gathering clergy members to press for a meeting with Bizzell, during which they will ask him to resign.
"This is not just anybody, this is a leader of sheriffs," Barber said. "We cannot just turn this loose. Any people of conscience ought to be deeply concerned."
Barber and other advocates said they are disappointed that statewide elected leaders have not condemned Bizzell's statements.
Bizzell's comments were made in a Sept. 7 story in The News & Observer, detailing the sheriff's concerns about an influx of Latino residents in Johnston County. He said Hispanics were committing crimes, sapping social services and threatening traditional culture.
Bizzell apologized for the comments but has not spoken publicly since. He could not be reached for comment.
Cookie Pope, chairwoman of the Johnston County commissioners, said the board had no authority to ask for Bizzell's resignation. Sheriffs are elected by county residents.
She declined to express an opinion about the sheriff's statements and praised him for cooperating with the American Civil Liberties Union, which is investigating whether Bizzell's office has engaged in ethnic profiling.
"He's a good friend of mine," Pope said. "We've all said and done things that we wish we hadn't said or wish we hadn't done. He apologized."
Efforts to reach Monette, the president of the Sheriffs Association, were unsuccessful.
Hispanic advocates say Bizzell's comments shine a light on the increasingly hostile tone of the national immigration debate. They say they hope the incident will stir increased activism.
"My hope is that we'll keep the pressure on," said Ilana Dubester, a Hispanic activist in Chatham County. "This is not just happening in Johnston County. The debate has sunk to such low levels of irrationality and fear that we really can't get anything accomplished."
kristin.collins@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-4881
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