Created: 1/20/2007 7:58:45 PM 
Elon, NC -- State Democratic leaders unanimously approved a formal apology Saturday acknowledging the party's role in a bloody race riot more than 100 years ago.
The riots drove hundreds of black residents from coastal Wilmington and killed dozens more in 1898. The apology comes eight months after a state-appointed commission concluded the insurrection was instigated by white supremacists affiliated with the Democratic Party.
It is the only recorded coup d'etat in U.S. history, according to the commission.
"Sometimes, moving forward requires a sober look at the past," said Jerry Meek, chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party. "The Democratic Party of 2006, and of the last half century, isn't the same party that it was in 1898. This resolution is important because it renounces past actions of the Democratic Party and celebrates the party of today."
The resolution was adopted by the Democratic Executive Committee during a meeting Saturday at Elon University, where party leaders met to elect statewide leaders.
The committee is the governing body of the state Democratic Party made up of more than 700 party leaders and activists from all of North Carolina's 100 counties.
Associated Press
