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Other lawmakers who came out for the protests complained about being forced to stay behind police checkpoints with members of the media.
"What am I obstructing? I'm elected to be here," said Rep. Garland Pierce, D-Scotland.
Pierce said he believes diverse crowds of people are coming out in greater numbers because the issues cut across racial and political lines. "I think that people are beginning to read and see that this present administration is toxic," he said.
A congressman who represents eastern North Carolina announced he'll be the first federal elected official to join the controversial
"Moral Monday" protests in Raleigh.
Congressman G. K. Butterfield says he will join local chapters of the NAACP and thousands of supporters Monday for the next weekly protest at the North Carolina general assembly.
In a press release Butterfield said, "There's a time to legislate, and there's a time to demonstrate. The republican-led legislature's attack on the disadvantaged and less fortunate cannot be allowed to continue."
Allen Wellons, a former state senator (D-Johnston), was among those that chose to be arrested. "I just couldn't sit back and watch this happen anymore," said Wellons as he walked into the Legislative Building hand in hand with a line of others who planned to participate in civil disobedience. "They [Republican leaders] are taking chances with the future of our children, the elderly, poor people and just the average citizen."
Despite the growing protests – including five local leaders’ arrests – an Orange County commissioner says she worries most N.C. residents remain unaware of how state lawmakers’ recent actions will affect them.
The sixth “Moral Monday” demonstration is set for 5 p.m. Monday at the Legislative Building in Raleigh.
“It is my hope that people across the state will really pay attention to what is happening before it’s too late,” Commissioner Bernadette Pelissier, a mental health specialist, said Friday.
...
Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton; Aldermen Michelle Johnson, Damon Seils and Sammy Slade; and Chapel Hill Town Council member Donna Bell were among 151 people arrested on Monday.
All those states are either in serious financial trouble, having cut services to the point people are actually dying in the street, or in the case of SD going through an energy boom that's going to end in a few years. Again, thanks for proving my point.
I just did a quick check of Texas and Florida. Both are on track of a surplus for this year and it is public information. Perhaps you could kindly provide a link to show how people are dying in the streets of those states (or perhaps you just posted again without checking the facts). I will be waiting for your links.
Again, thanks for providing my point once again that you shoot your mouth off before getting facts. I guess the political mud stuck in your eyes keeps you from actually reading.
Unless you're poor, a college student, or need to use early voting.
I'd also call bull**** on the claim that the majority of North Carolinians are in support of attempts to create a state religion or to increase taxes for everyone but the wealthy. Weren't we supposed to electing "Moderate McCrory?"
No one is trying to keep anyone from voting. We'd just like folks to vote only once.
Any lawmakers at these protests seem to be rather distant and very few in number. I think people generally are not hopping onto these protests simply because all recent leftist protests have seemed to implode on themselves and embarrass the politicians that embraced them in the beginning.
There is evidence that unions such as the SEIU are involved in these protests as well, and are not purely an N.C. thing. Like I said before, why on earth does outside unions or people out of state come to N.C. to protest?
The legislative session ends in less than a month, I think in early July. I wonder what will be done to get attention then?
And once more, if you want to protest, do so legally. Why is it necessary to turn a protest into a criminal act? (with protesters getting arrested). I mean you can't have any sympathy for them at all considering they actually meet together prior to protests and plan on getting arrested, put on green arm bands, and march into the building WANTING to get arrested. What is that all about?
They're definitely bussing protesters in. They've had busses from Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Greensboro, Wilmington, Durham, and carpools from Boone.
And once more, if you want to protest, do so legally. Why is it necessary to turn a protest into a criminal act? (with protesters getting arrested). I mean you can't have any sympathy for them at all considering they actually meet together prior to protests and plan on getting arrested, put on green arm bands, and march into the building WANTING to get arrested. What is that all about?
Easy. They are doing what they think necessary to get their message across. Not only would they not have as much press coverage otherwise but they wouldn't have as many people in the crowds. People are going there because they saw like minded people being arrested on TV.
I am amused by the self-righteous, self-satisfied attitude of the protesters.
Civil disobedience only recently became a prestigious activity, mainly because of the activities of Martin Luther King. But here is the difference: King faced fire hoses, police dogs, blackjacks, and the real threat of death, whereas the Great Moral Protesters of today face only the gentle Raleigh police department ("Sorry to bother you, sir, but would you mind coming with me for a few hours?").
So typical of the sissified nature of these protestors who believe that they have some special insight into morality and that their wishes should override the most recent election because . . . well, just because.
The protest at the General Assembly this Monday, which will be led by clergy from around the state, brings together a sampling of mainstream Christians, including Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists and Evangelical Lutherans. Their involvement marks a noteworthy turning point in the weekly protests.
So far, the demonstrations, which have led to the arrests of more than 300 people over five weeks, have been heavily partisan. (Note, Democratic U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield of Wilson announced he’ll join in.) But the clergy coming Monday have made a point to say their interest isn’t political.
“Rather it is a matter of faith with respect to our understanding of the biblical teachings and imperatives to protect the poor, respect the stranger, care for widows and children, and love our neighbors,” according to a statement provided to Dome over the weekend.
Signing it are Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese in Raleigh; Bishop Michael Bruce Curry of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina; the Rev. Leonard Bolick, bishop of the Synod of North Carolina Evangelical Lutheran Church; the Rev. Ted Churn, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of New Hope; Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, North Carolina Conference United Methodist Church; the Rev. Alfred “Chip” Marble, assisting bishop, Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina; Bishop Larry Goodpaster, Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Church; and the Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, bishop suffragan-elect of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.
And here's the full statement from the new protesters:
Quote:
“As you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." -- Matthew 25:4
“We speak as bishops and Christian leaders in North Carolina about the moral issues highlighted by the Moral Monday events. Our call to speak grows out of these words that we prayed together at our meeting on June 6: 'May we be a more vivid symbol of unity to all the faithful. May the witness of our lives proclaim the Kingdom of God.'
“As you may know, people have been gathering on Monday evenings to offer vigilant witness on moral issues being considered by our elected state officials. We share their concern for many of the issues they are bringing forth.
“The Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler of Union Seminary (Charlotte) recently summarized the effect of pending and enacted legislation especially on the poor, the aging and children.
"As you read this letter, the North Carolina General Assembly is passing bills that will remove 500,000 people from the Medicaid roles leaving them without health insurance; that will remove 170,000 people from unemployment when unemployment rates remain at historically high levels; that threaten to replace the graduated state income tax with a consumption tax that will adversely impact the poorest North Carolinians who will face increased prices on basic goods; that will force college students to return to their often distant homes to vote or cost their parents their $2,500 dependency deduction…. These and many other bills will adversely impact those who can least afford it and therefore demand a fervent response from people of faith! "
“Our concern about the legislative actions cited by Rev. Dr. Sadler is not an act of political partisanship. Rather it is a matter of faith with respect to our understanding of the biblical teachings and imperatives to protect the poor, respect the stranger, care for widows and children and love our neighbors (Isaiah 10:1-2, Hebrews 13:2, James 1:27, Matthew 22:39, Galatians 5:14). We recognize and respect other Christian brothers and sisters who may seek to apply these biblical teachings in different ways and through different means.
“We speak and act in love and through our understanding that our first citizenship is in the Kingdom of God, and we do so always as faithful citizens of the democratic process.”
I'm sure the response from the Baptists and fellow travelers will be appropriately lulzy.
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