Raleigh, N.C. – Supporters of Wake County’s conservative school board majority are upset with Governor Bev Perdue for awarding the state’s top honor to a controversial civil rights leader.
Reverend William Barber received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in August. Perdue presented it to him after a civil rights group in Durham recommended him for the award.
Earlier this summer Barber was arrested a two Wake County School Board meetings. He led vocal protests against the board’s plans to end the school system’s diversity policy. At least 30 other people were arrested.