Seeking Truth and Justice in our Community

by the Beloved Community Center

Dec. 19, 2008

The Beloved Community Center has been intentional in the process of seeking truth, healing, and justice in our community.  The last several months we have engaged ourselves in the work of building a youth peace movement.  This work was formulated out of the peace building effort with the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation and other "street groups", otherwise known as gangs.   

In July of 2008, Russell Kilfoil as known as King Peaceful of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation, filed a public accomodation complaint of discrimination with the Greensboro Human Relations Department.  Kilfoil alleged that he was approached by an officer at the Greensboro Depot and that he was physically and verbally assaulted by the Depot Officer. The officer has been identified as Officer Byron W. Meadows. The Human Relations Commission investigated these allegations and on December 19, 2008, Mitchell Johnson, City Manager, confirmed that Officer Meadows "is no longer employed by the City of Greensboro".  The City of Greensboro employed the officer through Langford Protective Services, Inc., a private security firm.  No information is available as to whether or not the officer is still employed with Langford. 

As a Beloved Community, we affirm standing with those who who are etched on the margins of our society, so that they may know that they are not alone or voiceless in the presence of community.  We seek to demonstrate and call for fairness and justice wherever injustice is present.  It is our belief that although there is yet much to be done in the effort of justice, the claim filed by Russell Kilfoil and the findings of the Human Relations Department are a victorious step in that direction.

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