The movement started in April 2013, with a few folks protesting, and has grown to tens of thousands. I attended my first Moral Monday in Raleigh, this past summer, and was astonished. I saw crowds of everyday people peacefully coming together in a rare, massive, and diverse state of solidarity. They carried signs of hope, they demanded change, and they believe in the basic good of this country. Among the crowds, I saw black, brown, white, Asian, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Atheist. There were Native Americans, Hispanics, LGBT, Liberals, Independents, Democrats and yes, even Republicans. These are the people of America. Also there were the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the homeless, the working, the unemployed, the politicians, the veterans … and they were dressed in everything from blue jeans and business suits to clergy robes and rainbow mohawks. I loved it. I loved every moment I was there, from walking up to the event hearing Reverend Barber over the loud speakers, to walking through the General Assembly building not knowing who would be arrested, to walking outside the building and back to my car with the feeling of “I did something. I said something. I stood up for something.” We gathered in celebration of our similarities rather than our differences, to object the corruption and obstruction taking place in North Carolina, and around the country. We gathered together peacefully to promote voting by encouraging each other to help others register/vote this November for the Midterm Elections with the same eagerness and enthusiasm we had in 2008 and 2012 for the presidential elections. We gathered together determined to fight for the rights of teachers, children, women, lgbt, minorities, the poor, veterans, the working class... We gathered together to demand equal pay, healthcare, gun sense, increased minimum wage, decreased student debt, climate control, and a separation between church and state. And we gathered together to oppose corporate Koch-like bribery and profiteering in politics, racist voting restrictions, misogynistic abortion restrictions, low teacher pay, pseudo religious hate mongering… and Republican politicians, like Governor Pat McCrory, Senator Thom Tillis, and NC Budget Director Art Pope, who dominate North Carolina’s House, Senate, State Supreme Court and Governor’s office with extremely far-right insidious policies and agendas. It seems they have made a real mess of things since they took control in 2010. And North Carolinians are very pissed. (They reflect most of America.) And yes, people do get arrested at Moral Mondays (over 900 and counting). The people who are arrested, usually for civil disobedience, do not resist arrest, and are cheered on and supported by the crowds. Most of these hardened crimminals are back protesting the following Moral Monday, where they are thanked in person (And really, what better reason would there be to have a police record – than to have one for defending American democracy and justice?) Moral Mondays have been around for centuries under guise of every revolution and revolutionary around the world. These are the people of discontent. These are the people sick and tired of being sick and tired, and now ready and willing to take action. This is American patriotism at its best - and it's not going away. In fact, it’s growing and bound to be coming to a neighborhood near you. And when it does, go and be a part of something bigger, stronger, than any American courtroom or chamber in Congress. Go and see Dr. Reverend William Barber II, a highly intelligent, brave, determined, and peaceful man, call the people to stand up and shout out:
“Forward Together - Not One Step Back!”
(Photos by L.Salzillo, June 2014)
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