House Bill 593 goes into law effective August 1, 2020. The new law is in direct conflict with the Grabarczyk v. Stein lawsuit that was decided in favor of Mr. Grabarczyk. Now that the Grabarczyk case is on appeal, many unanswered questions remain about how the matter will be disposed of. NCRSOL will continue to monitor results from the case and make updates whenever possible. 

But what the N.C. legislature failed to do was address how registrants are to seek shelter during a hurricane. Most of all, how do registrants get tested for COVID, especially when all the testing locations are on school grounds? You see, N.C. lawmakers do not want to understand the collateral consequences of the sex offender registry they created. They have been sold nothing more than tissues of lies that registrants are the most dangerous people in society. The facts are that registrants are perhaps the most compliant and least likely to be recidivists. Yet, lawmakers do not read scholarly journals nor listen to reason. Collectively, they perhaps represent the facilitation of “fake news” by ignoring data proven results by academics that remain neutral in registry issues. Instead, elected leaders continue to be persuaded by cash from lobbyists selling fear, lies, and deceit. Politicians don’t care about the people or crafting good laws. They only care about being reelected. 

Typically, elected officials are under the impression that during a state of emergency or pandemic that laws are magically suspended or waived. At least this is what a few lawmakers conveyed to me during conversations at the legislative building. Despite my best attempt at educating lawmakers, the reasoning always falls on deaf ears. Registrants are generally rounded up and arrested for seeking shelter during a state of emergency or criminally charged at a school because that is the only place where COVID testing takes place. Then the orchestrated attempt by police comes when the camera crews are summoned by a police press release splattering the image of “sex offender caught at school” all over the headlines for days. Nevermind that registrants are people that require COVID testing or shelter during a violent hurricane. But, your lawmakers don’t want to fix the laws that keep registrants and their families alive and safe from harm. Moreover, most media outlets fail to report the truth about the collateral consequences of the sex offender registries by falling into the trap of only reporting a constructive narrative to paint any registrant as the worst-of-the-worst. Police, politicians, and the media should address the moral issue rather than painting a false narrative. 

So, what do we do about it? There are many solutions, but it takes an army of registrants unafraid and undeterred to satisfy this mission. A solution begins with calling your lawmaker. Let them know that hurricane season is upon us. Every emergency shelter is at a school which is off-limits to sex offenders and their family. Demand that the law be changed during times of emergency proclaimed by the governor or town leaders. Additionally, speak about COVID-19 testing sites that are every school parking lot all across North Carolina. That means people on the sex offender registry cannot be tested on school grounds for a test that may save their life. Talk candidly about voting where nearly 96% of polling places are at school properties. Sure, there may be provisions within the law. But this isn’t the time to negotiate for what we should or shouldn’t bargain with when it comes to voting rights. This should be a time to exclaim registrants are people that deserve the same rights as any other person during times of emergency, pandemic crisis, and the ability to vote like any other American without special accommodation. Hold your elected officials accountable—otherwise, vote for another person to replace the voice that is supposed to represent you and second chances. Maybe, just maybe, registrants, registry family members, and allies of the anti-registry movement should consider running for public office to make our voice and concerns publically known? 

I don’t encourage people to get arrested to prove a point, especially when COVID in jails/prisons could equate to a potential death sentence. But perhaps that may be the next chapter in the anti-registry movement towards creating change. It will take brave people on the sex offender registry to be arrested for standing upon principle to reclaim his/her civil rights. No other person in America has to ask permission from a school to vote. No other person in America is excluded from seeking shelter at a school during a mandatory hurricane evacuation. No person in American must ask permission to buy or move to a new home or apartment. No person in America must ask permission to must ask the police for permission to go on vacation. No person in America is excluded from getting a COVID test based on where they may have the procedure performed. Sure, it is a huge gamble. But to have a civil rights case, we must find registrants willing to stand up and demand equality within their civil rights. Enough is enough! 

Now is the time to become vocal and make changes to draconian and Jim Crow styled laws penned by the elected leadership entrusted to represent your interests. Now is the time for registrants to fight back and reclaim his/her civil rights. Now is the time for action. I encourage you to contact your state representative and put your concerns in front of them. Demand change! Demand it now! Otherwise, lawmakers will continue to think we don’t put up a fight.  The clock is ticking to save the over 25,000 registrants in our state. 

Now is the time for action. Be a part of that action and become an advocate of change. 

Being placed on a registry for the world to view tends to isolate and shelter into place those that need a chance to talk to someone professionally about how to take care of themselves? But where in North Carolina can those impacted by the registry go to seek either medical or mental health matters?

Fortunately, a few calls have been placed to various county clinics or agencies to discover a wide range of services that most people do not take advantage of? There are some free programs, while others are low cost starting around $10. It greatly depends on what a registrant is in search for? But rather than living in shame or perhaps fearful in seeking help, assistance, or sharing vulnerabilities, it is essential to maintain a healthy body and mind.

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/providers/lme-mco-directory

We have found North Carolina managed health crisis locations along with health and mental health facilities available to any North Carolinian. It begins with making a phone call to discover what services are available in your county or region. There are plenty of registrants that are afraid to access the internet. This is why it is critical that those with the internet or the ability to advocate for others get the message out so that all people have accessibility in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you know of someone affected by the registry that is searching for medical needs, please share this information and help spread the word.

There are plenty of partnerships to help registrants qualify and receive Medicaid, vision, low-income, aging, hearing, veteran, and perhaps disability services. It is up to all of us to become compassionate enough to advocate for people rather than the stigma of the past. Contacting your county social services may be the first step in ensuring registrants have a voice and are recognized rather than becoming marginalized.

If North Carolina continues to create draconian sex offender laws, then at least as a part of our advocacy is to flood the system with new clients that require immediate assistance to maintain a healthy lifestyle and outlook to assimilate back into society. Let’s do our part by using whatever systems are available by continually calling until we find the answers we are looking for to help the registrant community.

Over the last several years my voice has started to return.  I found a renewed spirit, pushing me to advocate for fair laws. This is way out of my comfort zone.  But I am a citizen, I am a voter, and I am entitled to laws which are fair to everyone.  Unfortunately, the registry laws are not fair to everyone.  One of the most frustrating things I have experienced is the feeling that I, as an individual, am not important to lawmakers.  That I as an individual don’t deserve to be heard.  That the only way I will get anywhere is if I am supported by an advocacy group.  Everyone has a story, everyone has opinions.  I challenge you to join NCRSOL so that our lawmakers will hear you, too.  I wish I could tell you that they would listen to you as a stand-alone individual, but generally that is not the case.  My very first call to a lawmaker’s office included the question, “What group are you with?”  My naïve answer was, “Group?  I am an individual citizen.”  Needless to say, I got nowhere and the lawmaker would not speak with me.  That’s just one example but there have been many more.  I still encourage you to advocate as an individual, but I also encourage you to join a group.  We deserve to be heard.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Be a change agent…