NAACP-affiliated commenter cites new investigations, homelessness concerns and reads invocation that drew notice

A public commenter identified as Ari Rakowitz addressed the Onslow County Board of Commissioners on May 18 about a range of civil-rights and social-service concerns.

Rakowitz said, citing President Kenyatta Yering of the Onslow NAACP, that four new investigations opened in the month: “one law enforcement harassment or misconduct, one employer misconduct, one religious discrimination by a local agency, and one criminal justice system dispute,” and encouraged residents to volunteer with the local NAACP. Rakowitz also urged more support for people experiencing homelessness and criticized what they described as limited county responsiveness to those crises.

Rakowitz said the county continues to ignore a cease-and-desist letter delivered by the Freedom From Religion Foundation in April 2025 and reviewed criteria for proving a hostile-work-environment claim under Title VII. The commenter asked the board to consider more equitable policies and procedures for people with different beliefs and identities.

In a portion of the remarks Rakowitz read an invocation the speaker associated with the Satanic Temple; the reading concluded with the line, “Hail Satan.” Rakowitz said that if the invocation offended some listeners, officials should nonetheless serve the whole community and be “better allies.”

The board did not offer an immediate response during public comment. No formal action followed. The public-comment period closed and the board moved into general business.