NAACP leaders to meet with UNC president

RALEIGH -- Leaders of the North Carolina branch of the NAACP will appeal today to Erskine Bowles, president of the University of North Carolina system, for firmer campus policies on hate speech.

The meeting, set to take place this afternoon, stems from ongoing strife regarding racially charged remarks spray painted in N.C. State University's Free Expression Tunnel about newly elected President Barack Obama.

The graffiti — and the University's handling of it — have angered NAACP leaders, who had called for expulsion of the responsible students and establishment of tougher policies against racially hostile expression.

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of the North Carolina NAACP chapter, has called NCSU's response tepid.

Last week, the four students — who have not been named — apologized for their statements and said they never meant physical harm to President-elect Obama or any students. University leaders said the student, who instigated the incident, will have to perform community service and take diversity training.

After the meeting, Barber is scheduled to speak with reporters. He is also planning to meet with Colon Willoughby, Wake County District Attorney, to discuss why the students were not charged with a hate crime.