By Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
Southeast Raleigh community leader Rev. Isaiah Green has filed a class action lawsuit against Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell, alleging violations of the 14th and 15th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution—specifically concerning equal protection and voting rights.
Green filed the suit around September 23, 2025, and there are 90 days to serve the summons.
On Tuesday, Green told The Carolinian that Mayor Cowell had requested a 30-day extension, but he said he would deny the request if possible. Green said that after reaching out to city officials, the state government, the Attorney General’s office, the U.S. Department of Justice, the NAACP, and other local advocacy groups, filing the lawsuit was the only remaining option.
The suit arises from complaints by numerous Southeast Raleigh residents about new construction projects and property destruction in communities such as Holiday Estates, and other developments alongside Rock Quarry and Barwell Road.. Residents claim their properties were damaged and that they received little to no notice about the project plans or processes—nor any opportunity to provide feedback or engage in community discussions regarding liability or the impact of the new construction.
Because the case is a class action, other Southeast Raleigh community members who believe they have been negatively affected by the construction efforts may join the suit. Those interested can contact Rev. Green at 919-772-1798.
Green told The Carolinian last Thursday that no progress has been made over the years in addressing his repeated complaints. He alleges that these construction projects have been carried out without the knowledge, approval, or input of local residents, and without any assessment of potential damages.
He hopes the case reaches the highest federal court possible, citing suspicions of corruption and collusion within North Carolina's government and law enforcement institutions.
The Wake County Sheriff’s Department is responsible for serving the summons to Mayor Cowell within the 90-day window.
