The N.C. NAACP-led protests have been taking place for the last two years, both within and around the state legislature in Raleigh. Protesters include people of all ages and backgrounds — seniors fighting for Medicaid expansion alongside children younger than 10 calling for better public education.
The weekly protests started in 2013. Hundreds of protestors were arrested that first year, including students and local government officials.
The organization said the protests will continue this summer depending on how the state legislature approaches key issues, such as the voter ID law. If state lawmakers do not act in accordance with the desired outcomes of the NAACP, then the protests will continue.
During his closing remarks at the Historic Thousands on Jones Street rally in February, the Rev. William Barber, president of the N.C. chapter of the NAACP, announced that the Easter holiday was the deadline for the N.C. General Assembly to make progress on certain issues.
“(If) they keep crucifying our children’s education and crucifying minimum wage and crucifying voting rights, then we promise this state that in the season of Pentecost, the defibrillators will come out again, and we will engage in nonviolent civil disobedience,” Barber said.
Students and faculty have been among the Moral Monday protestors arrested during demonstrations of civil disobedience. Duke history professor William Chafe is one of them.
He said the arrests were undeserved, and the protesters are simply exercising their right to free speech.
“It’s a very simple process of expressing yourself in a form of speech, which is to carry a sign and sing a song and to do so without interrupting the legislature but within the legislative building,” Chafe said. “Frankly, it was a fairly stupid move on the part of the police to say that that was illegal and unconstitutional.”
