The Ride to Raleigh to Rally
On July 13, 2011, two vans from the Triad loaded up to attend the “Respect Our Vote, Protect Our Vote Rally” at the General Assembly to help prevent a devastating change to our voting rights. On this day they were expected to make a decision on HB-351, which is the bill requiring a government issued Photo ID and SB-47, a bill that would put an end to pre-registration for 16 and 17 year olds and many other important voting rights issues.
In the Senate chamber, the Senators were reviewing the bills that Governor Beverly Purdue vetoed and they were debating whether to override her veto or sustain her veto. However HB-351 and SB-47 did not come up for review on this day, however they decided that July 25, 2011 will be the date they will discuss and vote.
Subsequently, they did discuss one bill that will affect many teachers in the state of North Carolina. The bill was vetoed by the governor who clearly felt that this bill poses an injustice to North Carolina educators and their right to payroll deduction of association dues. This bill is clearly an attack on our education system, just like the budget which cut funding for education, which will contribute to the laying off of our valued teachers, lowering the funding for financial aid which most students use, and as an end result, Universities and Colleges would have to increase the cost of attending as well as cut major courses and classes.
In conclusion, the days that are approaching are going to shape North Carolina into something no one can predict, except that we know it is not for the better. Let’s try to stop the injustice while we can so that citizens may predict a brighter future.
Khadijah and Kayla
Central North Carolina Team
Khadijah,
That was an awesome crew that came from the Triad for the July 13 rally. It was good meeting your look-a-like, your sister, there too. Great job this summer!