Despite predictions of freezing rain, a record number of people of all ages came today to Raleigh for the Moral March (aka HKonJ) to protest the corrupt Republican Legislature and Governor that stand in the way of good affordable health care, unemployment insurance, food stamps and freedom over our own bodies.
People came to protest the return to Jim Crow like voting laws.
People came to protest raising regressive taxes on middle class, poor and retired North Carolinians in order to give breaks to the rich and corporations.
People came to protest McCrory and Thom Tillis' war on teachers.
People came to protest the hate against people who dare to love someone of the same gender.
People are angry that they want to risk our water supply and beaches forever for some short term financial gains for a few by drilling under our homes and off our coast.
People came to prevent the government from forcing young people to get permission from their parents before they can protect themselves with birth control.
Young people came, old people came, White, Black, Asian and Latino people came to force the GOP in North Carolina to stop the immorality or lose their leadership positions in this state.
"In this moment we cannot be silent. We must speak up," Rev. William Barber urged the assembly. Barber, state president of the NAACP was the key speaker at the rally.
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Stories:
Advocates are angry about bills McCrory has signed into law, including the refusal to expand Medicaid under the federal health care law; a reduction in unemployment benefits; and an elections-overhaul law that requires photo identification to vote in person.
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Now that it’s over, of course, people will head back to their day-to-day lives (most in places and environments that are not nearly so diverse and hope-filled). Fortunately, however, virtually all of these thousands of individuals will be bringing back with them at least a little of the positive energy and renewed sense of purpose and determination that permeated today’s March. If not another thing comes of today’s event, this fact assures that it will still have been more than worth the effort.
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UPDATE:
If We Ever Needed to Vote! | Rev. Dr. William J. Barber