FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,
May 15, 2014
Contact: Sarah Bufkin, NC NAACP - smbufkin@gmail.com or 404.285.3413
Speaker Thom Tillis Lauds the "Functioning" of an NC House of Representatives that Passed a Flood of Extremist Policies Targeting Our State's Most Vulnerable in 2013
DURHAM, NC - As the General Assembly opened its doors for the short session yesterday, Speaker Thom Tillis, in reviewing the extremist actions of last year's legislature, said of his work and leadership - "That's the great thing about a chamber that functions versus a chamber that doesn't."
The North Carolina NAACP and the Forward Together Moral Movement disagree with Tillis' characterization of the General Assembly's work.
"The truth is, under his leadership, the NC House is dysfunctional," said Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, president of the North Carolina NAACP and architect of the Forward Together Moral Movement. "When a state legislature functions in a way that neglects the poor, the uninsured, people of color, women and children, educators, state employees, immigrants, seniors, students and our voting rights - that's not functional. That is the pattern of the dysfunction of moral extremism that is hurting the whole of North Carolina."
Furthermore, the North Carolina NAACP and the Forward Together Moral Movement have learned that the Speaker Tillis and Senate Leader Berger called a meeting with the Legislative Service Commission for today, May 15 at 10 am to discuss changing the General Assembly building rules.
"Instead of working to repeal legislation that is hurting North Carolinians, these extremist lawmakers are seeming working to try and deter people from exercising their constitutional rights in the People's House," Dr. Barber said. "According to Article I, Section 12 of our state constitution, 'the people have a right to assemble together to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to the General Assembly for redress of grievances; but secret political societies are dangerous to the liberties of a free people and shall not be tolerated.' Under our constitution, Speaker Tillis and Senate Leader Berger should welcome the people - even their critics - and should ban their secret meeting with those individuals who work against the common good. The North Carolina NAACP and the Forward Together Moral Movement will respond to whatever new building rules are passed. We will not stop until we turn this state away from the path of dangerous extremism."
To see the people speak about how they are impacted by Tillis and Berger's policies, check out these personal testimonies from the press conference the North Carolina NAACP and the Forward Together Moral Movement held yesterday outside the General Assembly:
Faces of North Carolina | Patti
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Faces of North Carolina | Justin
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