UPDATE (July 17, 2025 — CPCC remains in the process of satisfying the general public documents demands associated with this case. Anybody can access those records here As more records are released, SCSJ will add them to that folder.
CHARLOTTE, N.C (June 24, 2025 — A settlement has actually been reached in a government legal action versus Central Piedmont Neighborhood College (CPCC) testing its transparency practices and activities against 2 area participants. The contract ends a legal disagreement that spotlighted worries about public access to details and free speech on campus.
The claim– filed in support of the plaintiffs by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) in April 2025 — alleged CPCC failed to comply with North Carolina’s Open Meetings and Public Records regulations by withholding details concerning the preparation and advancement of its new Public Safety and security Training Center, named the “Area Lifeline.”
It also claimed CPCC broke the First Modification by outlawing 2 individuals– Mina Ezikpe and Eboni Exceus– from campus after they attended a CPCC board conference for more information about the center and the procedure behind it.
As part of the settlement:
- CPCC consented to rescind the school outlaws versus Ezikpe and Exceus.
- CPCC committed to a schedule for meeting outstanding public records demands related to the training facility. The college will certainly work in excellent belief to complete feedbacks by June 30, 2025, and make sure access without undue burden or cost.
Check out the complete paper below.
While CPCC rejects any kind of misbehavior, the college has dedicated to proceeded conformity with state openness legislations. In factor to consider of these commitments, the complainants have consented to dismiss the suit.
“This settlement is a progression– not simply for us, but also for everyone that cares about transparency and liability in public institutions,” said Xavier Torres de Janon, one of the complainants in the case “We spoke up since our teamed believe our voices– and our community’s right to understand– mattered.”
“I’m eased the restriction has actually been raised,” stated Eboni Exceus, an additional plaintiff in the event “Turning up and asking questions need to never ever be penalized– area voices matter.”
“This legal action assisted beam a light on decisions and growths around a seriously vital concern that was occurring out of public view,” stated Janki Kaneria, advise for Justice System Reform at SCSJ. “As an outcome of this legal action, the community now has accessibility to essential information and a restored commitment to openness from CPCC.”
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Southern Union for Social Justice , established in 2007, partners with communities of shade and economically deprived areas in the South to safeguard and progress their political, social, and economic legal rights via the combination of legal campaigning for, study, organizing, and interactions. Find out more at southerncoalition.org and follow our work with Facebook , Instagram, and LinkedIn