By Associated Press
Mobile, AL – A statewide survey found Alabamians are equally divided about whether the Legislature should pass a resolution apologizing for slavery.
The survey by the University of South Alabama and Mobile Press-Register found 45 percent in favor of passing an apology and 44 percent against, with the remaining 11 percent unsure.
More than half of the whites polled - 56 percent - were opposed to an apology, while 84 percent of blacks were in favor.
More than half of those polled - 55 percent - expressed concern that an apology would open up the state to lawsuits by descendants of slaves for monetary damages.
Time is running out for the Legislature to consider a slavery apology. Selma Senator Hank Sanders and Birmingham Representative Mary Moore said last week they plan to merge their resolutions into one in hopes of getting it passed.
U-S-A and the Press-Register conducted a random telephone poll of 401 Alabama residents from May 14th-to-17th.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)