Hoke County Commission Chairman James Leach said he planned to sign a resolution Tuesday afternoon ending the county-wide curfew. City leaders ended Raeford’s curfew Monday. Local leaders put the curfew into effect Sunday, May 31 in the wake of “civil unrest” in neighboring Cumberland County. After two peaceful protests and the conclusion of the George...
Year: 2020
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City ends curfew, county to follow
Raeford ended its curfew this morning, effective at 8:52 a.m. Hoke County Manager Letitia Edens says the county will take similar action today. The county’s curfew was enacted by the entire board of commissioners, and includes a provision that it will remain in effect until the commission ends it. The curfews were put in place...
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Memorial honors Floyd’s life as speakers call for change
By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • After thousands of people waited in 90-degree heat Saturday to participate in a public viewing held in Hoke County for George Floyd, family members held a memorial service that was broadcast live on TV channels for an audience of millions. Amid gospel songs and worship, guest speakers and...
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Hundreds march in Raeford, rally in memory of George Floyd
The “Hoke County Peacekeepers,” a new grassroots organization created after the death of George Floyd, marched through downtown Raeford Friday afternoon, and rallied at the Hoke Library. Speakers including organizer Le’tour Ardel, Hoke Sheriff Hubert Peterkin, Police Chief Marc Godwin, Commissioners Harry Southerland, Allen Thomas and James Leach, and Hoke native Terrell Stephens chanted and...
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“Hoke County Peacekeepers” plan march, protest Friday in downtown Raeford
By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • A newly formed Facebook group of citizens in Hoke County plans to hold a peaceful protest in downtown Raeford this Friday, the day before a public viewing and private memorial service for George Floyd is set to take place. The Hoke County Peacekeepers will hold a protest Friday,...
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Ministry leads peaceful protest in Raeford with remarks, prayers
About 60 people came together at 5 p.m. Wednesday afternoon to march through downtown Raeford in a peaceful protest, carrying signs and singing gospel. Walking By Faith Divine Ministry organized the march in memory of George Floyd, according to a Facebook post. Protesters walked from the Hoke County Courthouse on Main Street to the Hoke...
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Protesters in Raeford
A group of protesters peacefully marched from Main Street along Central Avenue with signs reading “Black Lives Matter” and “God Bless America and Give Us Peace.” The group sang gospel music with a band which played aboard a trailer, as they progressed up Central Avenue Wednesday evening. Another protest is scheduled for Friday at 1...
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Protest in downtown Raeford set for Friday, June 5 at 1 p.m.
A protest is in the works to be held in downtown Raeford Friday, June 5 at 1 p.m., organized by a group called the Hoke County Peacekeepers. Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin said he is in contact with the event organizers, and plans to walk with the protestors himself. The News-Journal is reaching out to...