Leader of Largest Healthcare Union in the Nation to Join NAACP at HKonJ People’s Assembly this Saturday

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8, 2012 For More Information:     Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137     Mrs. Amina J. Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700  Leader of Largest Healthcare Union in the Nation to Speak on Jones Street Saturday Morning, February 11th The President of HealthcareWorkers Union, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare union in the country representing over 350,000 workers, will bring greetings to human rights and labor rights advocates assembled in front of the State Legislature on Saturday morning, February 11th.  George Gresham leads 1199 SEIU, which grew out of the civil rights movement in the 1960′s.  1199 organized hospital workers in New York City in one of the first grass-roots fusion movements in a large metropolitan area, since the advent of Jim Crow in the late 1800′s.  Gresham is also Vice President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the fastest growing union in North America, with over 2.1 million members.  Gresham notified Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, President of the NC NAACP, that 1199 SEIU would be on Jones Street, with his executive staff and other members traveling to Raleigh in solidarity with the struggles of North Carolina workers and those who are out of work.  "On HKonJ Day," Gresham told Barber, "We are all North Carolinians."  The Historic Thousands on Jones Street  (HKonJ) People’s Assembly Coalition is one of the nation’s broadest, most diverse anti-racist, anti-poverty and anti-war coalitions in the nation.  For over six years, the HKonJ Coalition has fought for its 14-Point Legislative Agenda. (attached). On Saturday, February at 9:30 AM, marchers will assemble at Shaw University on South Street and march to the General Assembly on Jones Street at 10:30 AM for a People’s General Assembly. "Protecting voting rights, fighting for labor rights and demanding economic justice are essential to a just and progressive society," said Rev. Barber.  "We in the civil rights and labor rights community march together and stand together as we work for the common good…together. For six years, the North Carolina NAACP and the HKonJ People’s Assembly Coalition of over 125 local and national organizations have fought for the rights of workers to livable wages and the end to the Jim Crow Law GS 95-98 that makes it illegal for public employees to exercise their collective bargaining rights in North Carolina." "The support of 1199 and SEIU, and my friend George Gresham and the proud members of 1199 who are spending their Saturday on buses to be with us is a wonderful tribute to the solidarity of labor and civil rights." ### Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

Forward email This email was sent to thedcn@embarqmail.com by northcarolinanaacp@gmail.com | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. NCNAACP | 114 W. Parrish Street | Second Floor | Durham | NC | 27701

Announcement: Pre-HKonJ Worship Service – St. Paul AME Church in Raleigh, NC – Friday, February 10th at 7:00 PM

PDF of Flyer

Forward email This email was sent to thedcn@embarqmail.com by northcarolinanaacp@gmail.com |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. NCNAACP | PO Box 335 | Durham | NC | 27702

 

 

See related:

HKonJ

 

Why We Must Keep Our Eyes on Jones Street – Presented by NC NAACP President at HKonJ News Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 28, 2012

For More Information: Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137

Mrs. Amina Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700

Why We Must Keep Our Eyes on Jones Street: 

The General Assembly, The People’s House

Presented by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, NC NAACP

HKonJ Press Conference

Saturday, January 28, 2012  9:00 AM

North Carolina Mutual Building – Durham, NC

(DURHAM) – We are pleased to welcome the President and CEO of the National NAACP, Benjamin Todd Jealous, back to North Carolina to stand with us as we mobilize for our March on Raleigh on February 11, 2012.     

The North Carolina Constitution in the Declaration of Rights says, "All political power is vested in and derived from the people; all government of right originates from the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole."

Based on this constitutional right we continue to demand our General Assembly to do right. The Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ) People’s Assembly Coalition Movement continues to grow and now stands united with the North Carolina NAACP State Conference, more than 120 NAACP local units and over 125 partners speaking with one voice to our lawmakers, pushing them to work for the good of the whole. Because we must defend this constitutional right, the HKonJ Coalition will March on Raleigh on Saturday, February 11.     

Beginning in January 2011, a new ultra conservative leadership took over the General Assembly. Their policies and legislation give a whole new meaning to legislative racism, legislative regression, legislative classism, ‘trickle down’ economics and turning back the clock. Their policies reveal they believe in ‘holding down the poor’ economics, undermining civil and voting rights and rooting their decisions in the politics of yesterday rather than going forward and working towards a more just society. African Americans, progressive whites, Latinos, other minorities, the unrepresented, the disenfranchised, the poor and the working people of North Carolina need to know: The people now running the General Assembly in Raleigh are not working for the common good. 

We have serious issues to address on the state and national level. Poverty here has grown 22 percent during the recession; over 40% of Black and Latino children live in poverty, while only 14% of white children live in poverty. The median household income in North Carolina has dropped 12.3% since 2007, while the state lost 300,000 jobs. Roughly ten percent of our workforce is officially unemployed, though the real rate is much higher. Only six states have higher unemployment; in the South, only Mississippi suffers more joblessness. Black unemployment is double that of the whole population. The gap between rich and poor is wider and deeper than during the Great Depression; one percent of Americans own forty percent of the wealth.

This is not time for the General Assembly to cut hundreds of millions from Medicaid, mental health, and critical services to poor communities. But that is exactly what they have done.

Over 1.5 million North Carolinians live in poverty. Children suffer most; 48 of our 100 counties have more than 20 percent of families going without food at times; almost half the children in Vance, Scotland and Robeson sometimes have no food at home.    

The number of children in poverty (2010) in North Carolina is shameful:

• Latino Children-130,743
• White Children-214,487
• African American Children-207,421
• American Indian Children-11,239

These children are not just white, black, brown or red children; they are God’s children and our children, and we have to do right by them.

This General Assembly passed the worst budget in decades containing a series of debilitating cuts to education, health care and other vital services. This budget was so severe that Judge Howard Manning ruled it unconstitutional as it applies to pre-Kindergarten funding, denying our most vulnerable 4-year olds educational opportunities.     

Nearly $2 billion is being cut from education (K-12, Community Colleges and universities) over the two-year biennium – (over $800 million from K-12 education, $250 million from Community Colleges, and $700 million from universities).

We have almost 5,000 fewer K-12 school personnel in the current budget compared to last year. More will have to be cut next year.

They attacked democracy itself. In 2011 we saw redistricting used as an attempt to segregate the black vote.  The same forces that use purported compliance with the Voting Rights Act as an excuse to obtain partisan advantage filed a lawsuit to overturn the Voting Rights Act altogether. They also pushed Voter Photo ID bills that would disfranchise poor, young, minority and elderly voters. Their race-based maps pack 48% of black voters into just three U.S. House Districts, 52% into just 27 of the 120 State House Districts, and 47% into just ten State Senate Districts. Many of these districts were already electing African Americans; by removing black voters from majority white districts, they marginalize minority influence. And they are attempting to write discrimination based on sexuality into the state constitution.     

They also unveiled another, even more ambitious elections law rewrite in the closing hours of the 2011 session.  This measure would, among other things, repeal same-day voter registration, ban straight-ticket voting, shorten the early-voting period by a week, ban early voting on Sundays, repeal publicly-financed elections for three statewide offices, and create a new type of account for political parties to accept corporate money. GOP leaders are also holding back millions of dollars in federal Help America Vote Act funds that would help local boards of election expand access to the ballot in 2012.

They undercut justice in our courts. Our General Assembly tried to kill the Racial Justice Act, which gives the courts a chance to ensure that racism does not drive anyone’s death sentence. They also slashed funding to Indigent Defense Services, often the only hope for young black men and women to escape an often unequal justice system.

In the People’s House, where we are supposed to serve the good of the whole, a new majority has chosen to serve the whims of the few.

The situation is clear: This Coalition must continue to vigorously advocate our 14-point HKonJ Legislative Agenda until all the points, so fundamental to justice and human rights in North Carolina, are addressed.     

This is why we must March on Jones Street on February 11. And this is why we must stay eternally vigilant.

In this moment, we must redouble our efforts and declare in both words and deeds:

Forward Together, Not One Step Back: We will not be divided or defeated

Forward Together Not One Step Back: WE DEMAND Liberty and Justice for All

Forward Together Not One Step Back: WE DEMAND ECONOMIC JUSTICE

Forward Together Not One Step Back: We the People Shall Not be Moved

This is why we must have mass mobilization for February 11, mass organization after February 11 and then mass civic and voter participation.

###

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

Forward email

This email was sent to thedcn@embarqmail.com by northcarolinanaacp@gmail.com |

Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

NCNAACP | 114 W. Parrish Street | Second Floor | Durham | NC | 27701

HKonJ People’s Assembly Video Promo! March With Us On Raleigh!

HKonJ6 People’s Assembly
FEBRUARY 11, 2012

MARCH ON RALEIGH!!

HKonJ6 People’s Assembly

60 Second Promo

March With Us On Raleigh!

Saturday, February 11!

Forward email

This email was sent to thedcn@embarqmail.com by northcarolinanaacp@gmail.com |

Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

NCNAACP | 114 W. Parrish Street | Second Floor | Durham | NC | 27701

Media Advisory: National NAACP President Travels to NC to Stand With NC NAACP and the HKonJ People’s Assembly Coalition

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 26, 2012   For More Information:           Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137                                                 Mrs. Amina Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700   National NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Jealous Travels to North Carolina to Stand with North Carolina NAACP and Coalition in Promoting Mass Mobilization for February 11 March on Raleigh   (DURHAM) – National NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous is traveling to North Carolina on Saturday to stand with North Carolina NAACP President and National Board Member Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, local NAACP branch presidents and partners in the Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ) People’s Assembly Coalition as they announce and discuss the rationale for the 6th HKonJ People’s Assembly in February. They will hold a news conference at NC Mutual Life building, 411 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701 on Saturday, January 28 at 9:00 AM.   The themes for this year are "Forward Together, Not One Step Back!" "We Must Stand for Freedom and Defend Democracy" "We Will Not be Defeated or Divided" "We Shall Pursue Liberty and Justice for All" "We the People Shall Not be Moved"   "The nation is watching North Carolina as a crucial state where voting rights and economic justice are under attack," stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. "On February 11th, people of all colors will come together to challenge persistent poverty, unequal education and voter suppression in North Carolina. We will show the nation that America is at its best when we struggle together for inclusiveness, diversity and opportunity."   Voting rights, equitable education for all, combating poverty, jobs and economic justice, the Racial Justice Act, protecting constitutional rights, equal protection under the law and the widespread unjust treatment of immigrants will shape this year’s People’s Assembly.   "This year’s People’s Assembly and our March on Jones Street are more important than ever," said Rev. Dr. William J. Barber. "If you believe in voting rights, fighting poverty, funding high quality education for every child and moving North Carolina forwards and not backward, you should march with us on February 11. We must keep an eye on Jones Street, where we have seen ultra conservative extremists in the General Assembly put forward some of the most regressive public policy agendas ever."   Barber continued, "This rally is about mass mobilization for February 11, mass organization after February 11, and mass civic participation. We must stand for a progressive agenda that promotes the "good of the whole" rather than an agenda based on the whims and narrow ideology of a few."   The Historic Thousands on Jones Street People’s Assembly Coalition is considered to be one of the nation’s broadest and diverse anti-racist, anti-poverty and anti-war coalition movements in the nation. For over fiver years, the Coalition has fought for a 14-point Progressive Legislative Agenda in the NC General Assembly (attached).   ###   Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.   PDF of HKonJ6 Flyer with 14-Point Agenda

 

Forward email This email was sent to thedcn@embarqmail.com by northcarolinanaacp@gmail.com |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. NCNAACP | 114 W. Parrish Street | Second Floor | Durham | NC | 27701

NEWS CONFERENCE ALERT: NC NAACP and HKonJ People’s Assembly Coalition Announces 6th Annual March on Raleigh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 11, 2012   For More Information:       Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137                                            Mrs. Amina Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700                                           Atty. Jennifer Marsh, Legal Redress Coordinator, 919-682-4700    (DURHAM) – A week after extremist leaders in the NC Legislature forced a vote on teachers’ rights, the Historic Thousands on Jones Street People’s Assembly Coalition announces it will bring thousands from across the state to protest these attacks on basic human rights.The North Carolina NAACP and partners in the Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ) People’s Assembly Coalition will gather outside the NC General Assembly (16 W. Jones Street) on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 4:00 PM to announce the 6th Annual HKonJ People’s Assembly in Raleigh, NC.  The sixth straight People’s Assembly is set for a month from now–February 11, 2012.   In the case of rain, the news conference will take place inside the General Assembly in room 1228, next to the Press Conference Room.  "In the face of the extreme right wing’s attacks on voting rights, public education, workers, women, voting rights, public services to poor people and minorities, and in light of the lack of commitment to address the economic crisis, create jobs or deal with poverty by the leadership of the NC General Assembly, the anti-racist, anti-poverty and progressive movement in North Carolina announces today the 6th Annual Historic Thousands on Jones Street People’s Assembly in Raleigh," says Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, president of the NC NAACP.    "While the extremists violate minority rights after midnight, when they hope no one is watching or listening, we convene our 6th Annual HKonJ People’s Assembly on Saturday morning, February 11th, 2012 in broad daylight," Barber continued. "Our coalition is broad and deep; we welcome all people who believe in doing what is best for the good of the whole.  The midnight tactics of the right wing will not prevail.  The people’s movement will never back down.  We will never give in to these regressive forces."   The annual People’s Assembly gathers at the historic Shaw University at 9:30 AM Saturday, February 11, 2012 and marches to the General Assembly on Jones Street. The theme for this year’s People’s Assembly is "Forward Together, Not One Step Back!"   The Coalition will also announce a visit by National NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Jealous to take place later this month.   "The nation is watching North Carolina as a crucial state where voting rights and economic justice are under attack," stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. "On February 11th, people of all colors will come together to challenge persistent poverty, unequal education and voter suppression in North Carolina. We will show the nation that America is at its best when we struggle together for inclusiveness, diversity and opportunity."   ###   Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

Postponed: HKonJ People’s Coaltion Retreat POSTPONED

Thursday, August 25, 2011 Dear HKonJ Partners, After consulting with members of the HKonJ Steering Committee and in light of the approaching Hurricane Irene, we have unfortunately had to make the decision to postpone the HKonJ People’s Coalition retreat scheduled for this Sunday, August 28. We make this decision knowing that 1) weather such as this is unpredictable and we want to ensure all our partners safety, 2) we expected participants from across the state, including Eastern North Carolina and 3) we wanted to respect people’s needs to plan ahead for the weekend. Please keep your eyes open for a new date for this important retreat. Stay safe this weekend and we look forward to continuing to build the movement with you in the months to come, Sincerely, Rev. Dr. William J Barber, II, President, NC NAACP and HKonJ Convener Mrs. Amina J Turner, Executive Director, NC NAACP Rev. Curtis E. Gatewood, HKonJ Coalition Coordinator Mrs. Debra Tyler-Horton, HKonJ Steering Committee Co-Chair Rev. Reuben Blackwell, HKonJ Steering Committee Co-Chair

Forward email

Rocky Mount NAACP/HKonJ To Hold News Conference and Meetings with Community Leaders to Discuss the State of Emergency and Moral Crisis Produced by the NC Legislature’s Budget Passed Last Week

Rocky Mount Branch

Immediate Release

8 June 2011

Contact:  Rev. Andre’ Knight, President, Rocky Mount Branch of the NAACP, 252-544-2949

Mrs. Amina J. Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700

Atty. Jennifer Marsh, Legal Redress Coordinator, 919-682-4700

Rocky Mount NAACP/HKonJ To Hold News Conference and Meetings with Community Leaders to Discuss the State of Emergency and Moral Crisis Produced by the NC Legislature’s Budget Passed Last Week.

The Rocky Mount Branch of the NAACP and Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ) People’s Coalition will participate in the “North Carolina: A State in Emergency Action Tour” on Thursday, June 9 at 10 AM in the parking lot of the Fairview Early Childhood Center at 720 N. Fairview Road. Simultaneous news conferences organized by the NC NAACP will occur across North Carolina. The General Assembly voted for a budget last week that was developed by the ultra-conservative, radical Tea Party-backed leadership in the General Assembly and has been identified by multi-racial and multi-faith voices across the state as bad, regressive and harmful for children, minorities, women, the poor and vulnerable communities in North Carolina.

"Thirty-one State Senators and seventy-three House Representatives, mostly Republicans and including five Democrats who play a key role in making the budget veto-proof for now, betrayed the people of North Carolina and voted one of the worst budget in North Carolina’s history–it takes us backwards in education, backwards in economic justice, backwards in human services, backwards in healthcare," said Rev. Dr. William J Barber, President of the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP. "This week, we are launching our "North Carolina: A State in Emergency Action Tour” across the State to bring the bad news of a bad budget to the local communities who these legislators are supposed to represent demanding we can do better.

We are concerned that outside of Raleigh, the media and local representatives are not getting the information on the consequences of this budget.

We have held many events in Raleigh to address the issues. Now we want to bring the information to the local level. We believe once our NAACP/HKonJ network learns how out of touch the Legislative Majority is with the people of North Carolina, they will know how to challenge their representatives in General Assembly from the grassroots.”

Grassroots leaders and community members will detail why we believe the Governor should veto the budget, why our legislators should follow their conscience and sustain the Governor’s veto and why, if passed, the budget would take all of North Carolina backwards. Speakers will also identify other regressive legislation being pushed by the right-wing, such as repealing the Racial Justice Act, voter suppression bills and direct attacks on immigrant children in our public schools.

###

NAACP Launches "North Carolina: State in Emergency Action Tour" in Three Eastern NC House Representatives’ Districts

MEDIA ADVISORY

Immediate Release

6 June 2011

Contact: Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137

Mrs. Amina J. Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700

Atty. Jennifer Marsh, Legal Redress Coordinator, 919-682-4700

Atty. Al McSurely, Communications Chair, lawyers@mcsurely.com

NAACP/HKonJ To Hold News Conferences and Meetings with Community Leaders in Three House of Representatives’ Districts in Eastern North Carolina to Discuss the State of Emergency and Moral Crisis Produced by the NC Legislature’s Budget Passed Last Week.

The NC NAACP and Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ) People’s Coalition will launch its "North Carolina: State in Emergency Action Tour" on Tuesday, June 7, beginning with three communities in Eastern North Carolina: Elizabeth City (Pasquotank County), Plymouth (Washington County) and Oxford (Granville County). House Representatives Bill Owens, Timothy Spear and Jim Crawford represent these three areas. Reps. Owens, Spear and Crawford played a key role in making the budget veto-proof, for now. They voted for a budget that was developed by the ultra-conservative, radical Tea Party-backed leadership in the General Assembly and has been identified by multi-racial and multi-faith voices across the state as bad, regressive and harmful for children, minorities, women, the poor and vulnerable communities in North Carolina.

Rev. Barber will be joined by strong grassroots leaders and community members who will detail why we believe the Governor should veto the budget, why these Representatives should follow their conscience and sustain the Governor’s veto and why, if passed, the budget would take all of North Carolina backwards. Speakers will also identify other regressive legislation being pushed by the right-wing, such as repealing the Racial Justice Act, voter suppression bills and direct attacks on immigrant children in our public schools.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

10:00 AM -

Holy Trinity Community Church 607 S Road St. Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Local Contact – Mr. Keith Rivers, Pasquotank County NAACP Branch President (252-267-6868)

12:00 PM

A Plus Results

106 East Water Street
Plymouth, NC 27962

Local Contact – Elder George Puckett, Plymouth NAACP Branch President (252-508-5839)

3:30 PM

Penn Avenue Missionary Baptist Church

225 West McClanahan Street Oxford, NC 27565

Local Contact – Rev. William Darby, Granville County NAACP Branch President (919-693-5396)

Forward email

 

Rev. Barber on Tom Joyner Morning Show with Roland Martin, Monday at 7:15 AM

From the Tom Joyner Morning Show: We are delighted to confirm that North Carolina NAACP State Conference President Reverend Dr. William Barber, II will be a guest on the Tom Joyner Morning Show with CNN commentator Roland Martin TOMORROW – Monday, February 14th at 7:15 AM (EDT) to discuss the growing problem of resegregation nationally and the HKonJ People’s Assembly. See below for the stations to tune into across the State: Triangle – 104.3 FM Triad – 97.1 FM Charlotte – 92.7 FM Fayetteville – 107.7 FM New Bern – Greenville – 101.9 FM Thanks to all who came out to the Historic Thousands on Jones Street!  Look forward to more action steps, pictures and YouTube videos  to come. We now must continue to build the HKonJ Movement, continue to fight and organize for freedom, justice and equality in North Carolina and never step down from the 14-point People’s Agenda!

NC NAACP STATE PRESIDENT PROMOTES MASS MARCH ON RALEIGH TO PROTECT EDUCATION, THE POOR AND CIVIL RIGHTS

PRESS ADVISORY: NAACP/Historic Thousands  on Jones Street: People’s Assembly Eastern Mobilization Tour Calling North Carolinians to a Mass March on Raleigh North Caroloina, February 12, 2011   Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, NC NAACP State President along with District Leaders  will visit Greenville, Williamston, Elizabeth City, Winton, and North Hampton County to invite citizens to join the call  for equal  education, the stance against resegregation, economic justice, good jobs, worker’s rights, a state budget that does not hurt the poor and equal protection under the law for all citizens.   For More Information: Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, NC NAACP President 919-394-8137                               Al McSurely, Attorney, NC NAACP, 919-389-2905   EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA (Feb. 1, 2011) Over 100 partners in the Historic Thousands on Jones Street movement are speaking with one voice and with one message to lawmakers: forward together, not one step back. Provide educational equality for every child, don’t balance the budget on the backs of the poor, don’t undermine equal protection under the law for every citizen, and don’t slash vital programs that will keep North Carolina moving forward.   To move that agenda along, Rev. Dr. William Barber II will visit five spots in Eastern North Carolina next week in advance of the fifth annual HK on J People’s Assembly in February. The HK on J coalition, convened by the NC NAACP, has about 100 member organizations that represent more than 2 million North Carolinians. The coalition has a 14-point progressive agenda that calls on state leaders to consider the budget a moral document that reflects North Carolina’s shared values.   "Despite the divisive and regressive policy agenda of extreme right wingers, ultra conservatives, and Tea Partiers, we stand in covenant and coalition to speak with one voice, calling North Carolina to move forward and not take one step back" said Rev. Dr. William Barber II, President of the North Carolina NAACP. "We need policies that benefit the whole of the people, not policies that cater to the whims of the few. North Carolina must not take one step backward from the progress we’ve made in education, health care, civil rights, and social justice.  Nor can we leave unfixed the inequalities and injustices which must be challenged and changed in order for all North Carolinians to have a better future." On Tuesday, Feb. 1, Rev. Barber will speak in five locations in Eastern North Carolina. The tour will support the HK on J People’s Assembly march on Raleigh this Feb. 12. More information about the Feb. 12 march can be found at www.hkonj.com.   TOUR STOPS: Tuesday, Feb. 1 GREENVILLE: 11 a.m. Philippi Church of Christ 3760 Philippi Dr, Greenville, NC    WILLIAMSTON: 1 p.m. Williamston Courthouse 305 E Main St Williamston, NC     ELIZABETH CITY: 5 p.m. Faith Way Apostle Church 304 Bell St. Elizabeth City, NC   Winton, NC: 6:30 p.m. Old C.S. Brown High School 101 C.S. Brown Dr. Winton, NC   NORTHAMPTON COUNTY: 8 p.m. Robert  E. Sessom Youth Center 2547 Cornwallis Rd. Garysburg, NC   "As a movement, we know that North Carolina works best when all the people have a chance at prosperity," said Rev. Barber. "The voices of division are louder than ever, but we won’t go back.  We’re here as a coalition, standing together, to fight for the kind of future North Carolina needs."

Media Advisory – HK on J Press Conference: Strengthen Education, Don’t Balance Budget on Backs of Poor

Immediate Release

24 January 2011

Contact: Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137

Atty. Al McSurely, Communications Chair,

lawyers@mcsurely.com

M E D I A A D V I S O R Y

HK on J Press Conference:

Strengthen Education, Don’t Balance Budget on Backs of Poor

This Tuesday, one day before the legislative session begins, speakers will urge lawmakers to defend schools, economic investments in North Carolina’s future, and civil rights for all

Raleigh (Jan. 25, 2010) – On the day before a critical legislative session begins, the Historic Thousands on Jones Street coalition has a message for lawmakers: preserve equal access to education and don’t balance the budget on the backs of the poor.

In advance of the coalition’s fifth annual peoples’ assembly march on Raleigh, which takes place Feb. 12, speakers will urge lawmakers to advance an agenda that promotes education, jobs, and equal justice.

The press event will be this Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m. Speakers will gather across the street from the Legislative Building on Jones Street in downtown Raleigh (Bicentennial Plaza).

Representatives from the NC NAACP, the AFL-CIO, and a host of other community activist groups will hold a 10 a.m. press conference across from the Legislative Building. The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II will discuss part of the coalition’s 14-point agenda, including the need for more education, better schools, greater economic investments, and civil rights for all.

Among the key points speakers will address:

* Education equality: all students deserve a high-quality, diverse, constitutional education;

* A budget that works: lawmakers must not balance the budget on the backs of the poor, but create a moral document that creates jobs and prosperity for all North Carolinians;

* Civil rights for all: leaders must stand up against the undermining of civil rights laws that impact communities of color.

To emphasize the importance of education, young people will be well-represented at the press event. Details of the fifth annual "Historic Thousands on Jones Street" march on Feb. 12 will also be outlined.

###

HKonJ5 Flyer–This Is No Time For Complacency

Click Here to Download Flyer

HKonJ and People’s Assembly Mass Demostration & March To The NC Legislature

Calling All Clergy and Religious Leaders

EXTRA! EXTRA!

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Friends, This Year We Must Stand Together Like Never Before

Spread The Word!

Please Share This with All of Your Friends, Your LISTSERVE and Your Contacts

Meet Us February 12, 2011

As We Assemble and March on Raleigh

"Let Justice Roll Down as a River and Righteousness as a Mighty Stream!"

FORWARD TOGETHER, BACKWARDS NEVER

Remember we are…

"Fighting For Our Children…Not Just Ourselves"

Forward Ever, Backwards Never!

Reverend Dr. William J. Barber, II

President, NC Conference NAACP

on Behalf of the HKonJ Partners

“Outside Agitators”, another tactic from the old Jim Crow Playbook

July 23, 2010

An opened letter from Curtis Everette Gatewood, Ordained Minister

2^nd Vice President NC State Conference of the NAACP

NC NAACP “HK on J” Mobilization Chairman

curtislovesjustice @yahoo.com ~ 919 939-6311

Re: “Outside Agitators”, another tactic from the old Jim Crow Playbook

I would like to address questions regarding how certain media and political entities are now interestingly raising the question of whether those “outside” Wake County should concern themselves with what goes on with the thousands of innocent children who make up the Wake County Schools System (WCSS), North Carolina’s largest school system.

Those of us who have proven we possess the social intelligence, moral consciousness, spiritual faith, and child-centered willingness to care for the poor beyond the constraints of our own dwellings, race, “neighborhoods”, zip codes, geographic boundaries, or comfort zones, are being portrayed as “outside agitators”. What did we learn from history?

As a nation we have seen the blistering whip of oppression offer up the undesirable gifts of trickery that were hidden under the giftwrap paper of flawed public policy. We received an unwanted gift dressed up with red, white, and blue ribbons and decorated with pretty lies claiming “liberty and justice for all.” A similar gift was given to former slaves and their descendants, which had been selected, packed, and wrapped by the evil and deceitful hands of Jim Crow, Sr.

We learned that a particular form of oppression would first be packaged and sold within a certain vicinity or principality before it would grow to become a larger state, or federal gift. This is why it often took federal legislation or “amendments” to stop certain states who simply pressed the dagger of injustice every inch into the backs of the oppressed until the exact point of resistance.

It took in-”siders”, “outsiders”, God’s heavenly up-“siders”, and righteous voices from EVERY mountain-“side” to stop Jim Crow as this federally funded criminal would for decades stand with his race-muddy feet on the necks of poor African Americans regardless of which county or state they came from.

African descendants of this generation are disproportionately offered the gift of “neighborhood schools”. It is another unwanted gift, decorated with paper from flawed policies which have no factual ingredients; a gift whose container is filled with rhetorical hot air and lacks any supporting empirical data that would have added to the gift’s value; an unwanted gift deceitfully presented as a “solution” forward, but backwardly shoplifted from the old but well stocked shelf of racial politics and presented by the filthy hands of Jim Crow, Jr.

Historically, the oppressor has sought to confuse and divide potential freedom fighters through divide-and-conquer tactics. Those who seek to rebirth the “outside agitator” labels are using the concept and even the same terminology used by domestic terrorists who during the Jim Crow era, sought to keep out progressive national organizations such as the NAACP and fearless civil rights leaders such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was in the face of being portrayed as “outside agitators”, Dr. King offered us this indisputable thought – “A threat to justice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Wake County Schools’ unjust and backward direction is without a doubt “a threat to justice everywhere” for poor children who depend on moral beings without regard to their geographical territories to look after their best interests. A child is not going to feel better if his future was robbed by a resident in his own county. Neither will a child regret the help of a distant friend or relative who seeks to save him from unjust policy makers who happen to live in his vicinity. Additionally, Jesus asked that we “go ye into all of the world” and carry forward the “gospel for the poor” and tend to the “least of these”.

We join Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, religious leaders, the NC NAACP, its more than 90 HK on J coalition partners, youth organizations such as NC H.E.A.T., and all other community servants who choose to obey God’s moral law of justice over man’s callous acts of injustice.

While knowing the blood of our ancestors have paid such a high price, and considering the livelihoods of the poorest children of this generation are at stake, we will continue to mobilize against injustice and in no way slow down. We will not slow down due to “outsider” labels, arbitrary school meeting changes designed to reduce rather than increase community input, two-faced promises, increased police presence, threats of jail, or if and when other tactics which are being replayed from the old Jim Crow playbook are used through efforts to intimidate and/or divide us.

Love and righteousness have no boundaries, just as the “threats toward justice” never have and never will stop at Wake or any other county line. Both God and our history scream out loudly and clearly regarding our need to become our brother’s keeper, whether he lives in a different county or different country.

Curtis E. Gatewood