THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 23, 1994 TAG: 9409230584
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LAURA LAFAY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Supporters of Gov. George F. Allen's plan to end parole outnumbered critics at a public hearing in the City Council chambers Thursday night. But some opponents said they were shut out of the process because of their race.
``Excuse me. Is this a white folks' forum?'' yelled one man as Virginia Beach Deputy Prosecutor Albert Albieri rose to follow Norfolk prosecutor Chuck Griffith to the podium. `` 'Cause I haven't seen nobody black.''
Roughly 250 people showed up at the hearing, but many were told they could not go up to the packed council chambers because of fire-code regulations. Several African Americans said they were singled out to stay downstairs. Others said they had no way of knowing that they had to call in advance to be allowed to speak.
``We're being treated like second-class citizens,'' said Anthony Glover, who came to the hearing with members of his African study group.
``This is a public hearing, and we're taxpayers,'' Romona Kesler said. ``But they're only giving the white folks a chance to speak.''
Another man said he signed up to speak early, but was told his name was not on the list.
``It's disgraceful that they're not willing to listen to all sides of this issue,'' said South Hampton Roads NAACP Chairman Paul Gillis. ``We've heard from stacked committees and stacked hearings. I thought this would be a more open forum.''
Four of the first 24 speakers who addressed the panel of local legislators and members of the General Assembly's Courts of Justice Committee were African American. Three said they oppose the Allen plan. The fourth, Bill Thomas of Norfolk, said he supports the plan, but is concerned about what is happening to his community.
``When only 20 percent of all Virginians are black, yet 60 percent of the state prisoners are black, race matters,'' Thomas told the panel.
``When only 30 percent of our children graduate from high school . . . race matters. When the unemployment rate in some of our communities exceeds 40 percent, race matters.''
A few supporters of extremist Lyndon LaRouche who used most of their time at the podium to denounce George Bush and Oliver North also voiced opposition to Allen's plan. For the most part, however, Thursday night's speakers - including several area law enforcement officials - were strongly in favor of it.
``This is not about Democrats and this is not about Republicans,'' said a woman whose son was murdered in 1985. ``This is about justice, and we're tired of waiting for it.''
Laura Coffey, whose brother was murdered by death row inmate Walter Meekins, walked up to the podium flanked by her two little boys.
``I strongly feel that if the governor's plan had been in effect . . . my brother would be alive today,'' she said.
One well-coifed elderly woman with matching gold jewelry didn't speak to the panel, but made her position known to those who sat next to her.
``Arrest 'em and kill 'em,'' she said loudly, making a slicing motion across her throat.
Many of the Allen plan supporters held Allen-issued signs urging lawmakers to ABOLISH PAROLE NOW! Others wore Allen-issued lapel stickers to the same effect. So did a number of panel members.
``Excuse me, I think it's disrespectful for you all to wear those stickers,'' a woman in the audience told panel Chairman Sen. Ed Holland, D-Arlington County.
``It's not your turn to speak,'' said Holland.
As the hearing wore on and the crowd thinned, about 20 African Americans who had waited it out were allowed up at the podium.
``We were able to get a more balanced presentation,'' said Del. William P. Robinson Jr., D-Norfolk.
``The African-American view of this legislation was clearly articulated. And they're clearly opposed to the governor's plan as it is structured. They saw the need to do something about violent crime, but most came down on the side of intervention, prevention and fairness.'' by CNB