Peter Grear, Co-Publisher
There are many calls for holding participants of the January 6th, 2021, insurrection accountable for their attempted coup. On October 25th, 2022, at a press conference held at the Main Street entrance to the courtyard between the Pasquotank County and US courthouses, the Eastern North Carolina Civic Group (ENCCG) announced its support for full legal accountability for all that engaged in the violent insurrection. The Winfall Mayor Fred Yates is the chairman of the ENCCG.
The ENCCG is the state’s oldest civic and service network comprised of counties in North Carolina including, portions of the 1st Congressional District. The announcement came with the full approval of its executive committee, and it explained that ENCCG was compelled to urge leaders in our Nation’s Capital to use the fullest extent of the law to ensure those elected leaders who conspired against this country on January 6th, are brought to justice.
The announcement stated that the ENCCG is requesting all elected members of Congress in violation of their oath of office to be removed from office and suspended from running for any elected position for one term of their respective office, that being two years in the House and six years in the Senate. If, convicted through the investigation by any congressional or judicial body, based on the constitution, said individuals should be removed permanently from office and not be allowed to serve in an elected capacity again.
Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution holds that no person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
The announcement stated that even though there were several levels of government officials present, the violation of the oath of office through conspiring to overthrow the United States government by a congressional official is the primary concern for protection of our democracy. The responsibility and privilege provided to our members of Congress demand the highest level of accountability for protecting our democracy.
The announcement was shared with many elected officials that included Governor Roy Cooper, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, United States Attorney General Merrick Garland, Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US Senate Chuck Schumer, Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Joyce Beatty, North Carolina Congressman G. K. Butterfield District #01, United State Senator Richard Burr, United State Senator Thom Tillis, and North Carolina Congressman Greg Murphy District #03.
