UPDATE — Urgent Action Required: Let GA Members Hear from You

The NC NAACP has called for a People’s Assembly at 4:30 p.m., today, Thursday, December 15, in the General Assembly building, 16 West Jones Street. Details can be found here. Anyone interested in non-violence and direct action training should gather at 3:30 p.m. and email tyler.swanson@naacpnc.org for more information.

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The North Carolina General Assembly’s short session to help hurricane and fire victims has, as predicted, morphed into a power grab by Republican leaders. Those same leaders need to hear from people committed to a fair and equitable society where democracy means something. And because they are in a hurry to minimize the authority of the electorate that chose Roy Cooper as Governor of North Carolina, the need to speak is urgent. Please act today.

Here are some suggestions from our friend Bob Hall of Democracy North Carolina:

In a deceitful display of raw power, leaders of the N.C. General Assembly changed from smiling helpers of hurricane victims to greedy manipulators determined to expand their power, even as the federal courts said their legislative districts and election were illegitimate. These are desperate losers, power mad white men, going beyond anything the Democrats ever did, willing to destroy any institution and the public’s hope for rational government just to keep a political advantage. So sad, so deplorable.

Legislation introduced by Republicans on Wednesday use a combination sledge hammer and surgical knife to dramatically change the court system, board of elections, public education, and a host of other institutions for only one purpose—to give Elephants more turf to control in the face of a few Donkeys winning key elections. We must push back, fight for the good of the whole, and help at least a few Elephants realize this is not a high school game but a shameful betrayal of their promise of public service.

Ways you can act:

Attend Thursday’s Press Conference with North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Matthew in Response to the Surprise Special Session, at 10:30 a.m. from the General Assembly Press Room (16 W. Jones St. Raleigh, NC)

Stay for legislative committee meetings and chamber sessions happening throughout the day. For more on tomorrow’s legislative schedule and ways to listen in, visit ncleg.net.

If you can’t make it to Raleigh, call your lawmakers and legislative leadership—even if you’ve called before—and remind them that you oppose this “surprise special session,” not to mention all power grabs that undercut duly-elected officials and impact your faith in good government.

Senate Pro Tempore Phil Berger, 919-733-5708

House Speaker Tim Moore, 919-733-3451