Pledge of New Judgeship Eases Indians’ Stand

LUMBERTON, N. C. —  Supporters of an Indian activist who was killed when running for judge have dropped their request for a special legislative session after obtaining the promise of a new judgeship, an official said Monday.

Supporters of Julian Pierce met with legislators from Robeson County here Monday and agreed to a compromise in which Lt. Gov. Bob Jordan and House Speaker Liston Ramsey, two of the state’s most powerful Democrats, will support establishing another Superior Court judgeship in Robeson County, Jordan spokeswoman Brenda Summers said.

A bill to create the judgeship will be introduced during the June legislative session, Summers said, adding: “All parties agreed that this step will further the cause of unity in Robeson County.”

Pressured Governor

Pierce supporters had pressured Gov. James G. Martin, a Republican, to call a special legislative session to reopen filing for the Robeson judgeship, created last year in an effort to increase the number of minority-member judges.

Pierce, a Lumbee Indian, was shot at his home March 26 in what authorities said was a domestic dispute. His death left Dist. Atty. Joe Freeman Britt, a white, the only candidate for the Democratic nomination. There is no Republican candidate.

Also Monday, three months after Pierce started his campaign for judge, about 600 people gathered in the same place to pledge to continue his struggle for change.

“We must keep the faith. We must not let tragedy keep us down. We must press on,” said the Rev. Ben Chavis.

Many Lumbees and blacks in the county say they are discriminated against and that they are not represented adequately in local political offices. The county’s population is 37% Indian, 37% white and 26% black.