It appears as though a compromise has been reached in the dispute over the proposed state historical marker near the site of the Nov. 3 1979 Klan-Nazi-Communist Workers Party shootout that left four people dead:
On Monday, Councilmen Tony Wilkins and Zack Matheny, the two strongest voices against the marker, said they would consider giving their approval if the word “massacre” was changed.
A state committee is seeking approval for a historical marker about “Greensboro Massacre.”
“I think if the wording was changed to ‘shootout’ or ‘shooting’ it would be closer to what actually happened,” Matheny said. “The marker can’t tell the whole story but the word ‘massacre’ gives you the wrong idea about what actually happened that day.”
Michael Hill, a staff member from the Historical Marker Advisory Committee, said Wednesday that the committee is open to input from the council and will consider changing the word “massacre.”
If the compromise is made, a historical marker could be in place by April.
You wouldn’t know what actually happened based on reading N&R reporter Joe Killian’s write-up; nowhere is it mentioned that CWP members not only were armed but possibly fired the first shot.
OK, Killian wasn’t around –maybe not even born–when the shootout took place, so it’s possible–just possible–he’s not aware of this evidence. But you’ll have to pardon readers if they might that evidence was purposefully omitted, given the conscious hard left turn the paper has taken in recent months.
