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Thunderstorms, some with heavy rain this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 58F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..
Tonight
Thunderstorms, some with heavy rain this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 58F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Rev. Gregory Drumwright, flanked by attorney Jason Keith (left) and civil rights attorney Benjamin Camp, speaks following a hearing held Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in Alamance County. [Photo: Dean-Paul Stephens/Times-News]
Rev. Gregory Drumwright, flanked by attorney Jason Keith (left) and civil rights attorney Benjamin Camp, speaks following a hearing held Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in Alamance County. [Photo: Dean-Paul Stephens/Times-News]
Times-News
Dean-Paul Stephens, Times-News
Following a Wednesday afternoon court hearing, local activist Rev. Gregory Drumwright will continue to have access to county-owned property.
"I will be able to continue to peacefully organize, right here, where I grew up," Drumwright said immediately following Wednesday's decision.
This is the most recent development in the legal saga stemming from the Oct. 31 march in which law enforcement pepper-sprayed and arrested dozens of participants.
While law enforcement officers arrested and detained several individuals, march organizer Drumwright has faced the brunt of the charges, which include felony assault on an officer and felony obstruction of justice.
Local activists have maintained the charges, particularly those against Drumwright, are meant to discourage public dissent, which is why Drumwright's team welcomed the news.
"It's all in a day's work," Drumwright's attorney Jason Keith said after the ruling. "There is so much I can say, I just want you all to understand that this is one step."
Wednesday's court date, according to Drumwright, came about last minute. The proceedings, according to deputies stationed outside the courtroom, were closed to both the public and media due to COVID-19.
Wednesday's decision comes four days after Drumwright and other local organizers held a march to call attention to criminal justice reform. That march, like Drumwright's election day march, ended with no arrests.
It's for this reason why Drumwright and his supporters have called into question accusations that Drumwright is a public menace. Prior to Thursday's decision civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump emphasized what he felt was the absurdity of Drumwright facing these charges in his home county of Alamance.
"You didn't get arrested when you came to Minneapolis, Minnesota to stand with Justice for George Floyd," Crump said. "You and the Justice for the Next Generation didn't get arrested when you came to Kenosha, Wisconsin to fight for justice for Jacob Blake Jr. ... but then you come home. ..."
Crump called Wednesday's verdict a small victory.
"This is where Greg Drumwright came from," Crump said. "This is his home and a man should not be denied coming home for standing up for what is right."
After Wednesday's verdict Crump said the fight in Alamance is only starting. As a prominent civil rights attorney with the ears of several national figures, he intends to make events in Alamance a point of national attention. On Thursday he and others plan on discussing Alamance County with state officials.
"We will be meeting either with the attorney general or the governor," Crump said.
