This week has been full of traveling but what a great experience it was. We began our journey in Elizabeth City on Tuesday. We started by passing out “Respect our Vote” flyers at community shelters and food banks in the area since HB 351 would affect low income, low wealth, and displaced residents in large numbers. We also passed out voter registration forms. After stopping by shelters, and riding around in circles for a while, we reached the courthouse downtown to visit the lemonade stand set up by MomsRising. They were focused on the hurts that the education system, smart start programs, more at four etc. would take because of the proposed budget. We of course realize that issues surrounding the budget are based in special interest money the goes into legislators who write the budget, so we tied our money in politics aspect to their cause. After leaving the lemonade stand we attended a community meeting set up by Pasquotank County NAACP president Keith Rivers.
Tuesday was our longest day, we got back after 11, but it was definitely very informative and we got to see community meetings at work. It showed how in a group not everyone may agree on every aspect, but everyone must keep in mind that the goal is to keep the community moving forward. There were definitely fervent activists in the Pasquotank County area. One resident pleaded that Shaunee not be so delicate in her approach to telling the community about the dire need for them to make their voices heard. On Wednesday our plans of being on the local cable station fell through because of miscommunication but we still got a chance to meet with elected officials and citizens in the Edgecombe/Nash County area. One of the people we met with also happened to be a lawyer and he spoke of the importance of public financed campaigns for judges. Our week of travels ended in Washington, North Carolina with a few one on one meetings with known activists from the area.
Week two was a very surprising and productive week. From meeting the governor, to being questioned on our final destiny in life we have thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. We look forward to next week and all the surprises that we are sure will come.
Jasmine and Shaniqua
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