Thank you, Mary Rider, for having the courage of your convictions ("A gentle dissident is jailed, unbowed," Life, etc. story, Aug. 16). In refusing to pay court costs and fines, Rider cited the inequities of the judicial system and for speaking the truth was given 15 days in jail.

If 1 in 4 young, white men were in jail, as are young African-American men, the public would demand action. If three innocent white men had been released from death row this year, as have been three African-American men in North Carolina, the public would be outraged.

If wealthy Americans were represented by court-appointed attorneys, some with high rates of discipline by the American Bar Association, as are poor people, there would be change.

In sentencing Rider, Wake County Superior Court Judge Michael Morgan cited the need to punish her, to rehabilitate her and to discourage others from doing the same.

Thankfully, Rider will not be rehabilitated to Morgan's liking and has welcomed her time in jail. And as for discouraging others, Morgan has ensured that many more will act to end the death penalty in North Carolina.

Debbie Biesack

Fuquay-Varina

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