NCGA Revokes Moral Monday Protesters’ Constitutional Rights
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By the end of summer, polls showed the (Moral Monday) protesters were held in higher esteem than lawmakers.
So, this should come as no surprise: On Thursday, the second day of the short session of the N.C. General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission met for the first time in 15 years to change the rules governing public access to the legislature. The changes they passed target Moral Monday protests directly and place limits on such gatherings.
One rule change specifies behaviors that could violate legislative rules and trigger arrests, including “singing and clapping,” behaviors Moral Monday protesters engaged in regularly last year. Another rule change prohibits signs on “handsticks“ or signs that “disturb” legislators. Another places size limits on gatherings outside the General Assembly.
Critics said the changes are attempts to stifle speech. “Republicans don’t want to hear from the public or allow them to petition their representatives,” said House Democratic Leader Larry D. Hall. “It is shocking that the only response given to thousands of citizens expressing their disagreement with the Republican agenda is to try to silence them.”
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THE REST:
http://respriv.org/ncga-revoke-moral-monday-protesters-consitutional-rights/
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