From the School of Americas Watch protest at Fort Benning in Georgia, many years ago.
UPCOMING EVENTS
08/31/15 AMERICA’S JOURNEY FOR JUSTICE COMES TO NC
From August 1 to September 16, America’s Journey for Justice–an historic 860-mile march from Selma, Alabama, to Washington, D.C.–will mobilize activists and advance a focused national advocacy agenda that protects the right of every American to a fair criminal justice system, uncorrupted and unfettered access to the ballot box, sustainable jobs with a living wage, and equitable public education. We will march through North Carolina from August 29th to September 7th and follow a 206 mile route. Each state along the route has an issue focus from the national advocacy agenda. North Carolina is the national battleground for voting rights and so, appropriately, voting rights is our focus. There will be a Voting Rights teach-in on July 31st, the same day that our redistricting lawsuit kicks off in North Carolina's Supreme Court, and a Voting Rights Rally on September 3rd. Voting Rights is the link between all social justice issues. There will also be other issue-based teach-ins along the march route that the public is welcome to join. Contact NAACP for more information.
09/01/15 WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL LECTURE SERIES
“Reconnecting with Cuba,” a lecture by journalist and historian Jon Elliston, will kick off the fall World Affairs Council lecture series, at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center. Elliston will discuss the recently restored diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, which were severed during the Cold War, along with the ongoing disputes between the two governments and the possibilities of further reconciliation. Elliston, a frequent traveler to Cuba, currently serves as the investigations and open-government editor at Carolina Public Press, a nonprofit news service that covers Western North Carolina, and as senior editor at WNC magazine. The lectures are sponsored by the WNC chapter of the World Affairs Council, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNC Asheville, and the university's Department of Political Science. Admission to World Affairs Council presentations at UNC Asheville is $10 for the public; free to members of the World Affairs Council and UNC Asheville students. For more information call 828.251.6140.
09/01/15 CONNECTION PRACTICE
Tuesday, September 1, 6:30pm, West Asheville Library: A Taste of the Connection Practice. Communicating feelings and needs connects us more deeply at the heart level, and can help resolve conflicts. Free. Contact Cathy at cathyfholt@gmail.com for more information.
09/01/15 WNC 4 PEACE PROCLAMATION READING
Please come and stand with all of us as we stand for peace in our world, country, city, neighborhood, family and within our hearts. The Buncombe County Commissioners will hold the reading of the Peace Day Proclamation at 4:30 PM at 200 College Street in Asheville.
09/01/15 WNC 4 PEACE MEETING FOR INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
The next meeting of this planning group for the International Day of Peace will be Tuesday, September 1,, at 6:15 PM at the North Asheville Community Center. For more information, contact Rachael at rachael_bliss@yahoo.com.
09/02/15 SIERRA CLUB MEETING AND GREEN DRINKS
Sierra Club meeting on French Broad River Odyssey by Dr. Chris Lechner. Location is Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, (corner of Charlotte & Edwin). Time is 7 PM. Contact: judymattox@sbcglobal.net, or 828-683-2176 for more information.
09/03/15 MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH INVESTMENTS TALK
Bold Moves: Making an Impact through Investments - Krull & Company and Mountain BizWorks are co-hosting an event with speakers from Patagonia and Green Century Capital Management. The information from Green Century will be about socially responsible investing, focusing on a fossil fuel free fund options (so both socially & environmentally responsible investing). It will be at Kittredge Theatre on Warren Wilson’s campus. The talk is free, but it is limited to 300 participants so RSVPs are required. To RSVP or find out more about this event, please contact Kerry at kkeihn@krullandcompany.com.
09/03/15 STARTING THE CONVERSATION: STUDENT PANEL
“Starting the Conversation” is an interdisciplinary discussion series on race at UNC Asheville intended to foster in-depth discussions about race between students and faculty. Free and open to the public. Time is 11:50 AM to 1 PM, and location is Karpen Hall 139 at UNCA. Contact Anne Jansen at ajansen@unca.edu or 828-251-6582.
09/03/15 UTILITIES COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING
The Carolina Land Coalition writes that the “Construction of the proposed transmission lines in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina would disrupt the ecology and economy of the diverse and alluring areas in the Eastern United States. The scale of the project is unjustified and it would harm our property values, local economy, and deprecate our diverse natural ecology and scenic mountain views.” A Utilities Commission Public Meeting is scheduled for 6 PM at Blue Ridge Community College’s Auditorium. The address of the campus is 180 W. Campus Drive in Flat Rock, NC.
09/05/15 CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBY MEETING
Citizens Climate Lobby meets the first Saturday of each month, from 12:30-3 PM at Kairos West Community Center, 742 Haywood Road in west Asheville. We are advocating for a Carbon Fee & Dividend, which would impose a fee on fossil fuels at point entry; this fee will be refunded to individuals and families. There is bipartisan support in Congress as this will create jobs and help grow the economy, boosting renewables.For more information and to confirm date, contact asheville@citizensclimatelobby.org.
09/08/15 WNC 4 PEACE PROCLAMATION READING
Please come and stand with all of us as we stand for peace in our world, country, city, neighborhood, family and within our hearts. The Asheville City Council will hold the reading of the Peace Day Proclamation at 5 PM on the second floor of Asheville City Hall.
09/08/15 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
Time is 6:30 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe on Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Lyle at hufbutcher@hotmail.com to confirm and for more information.
09/09/15 GREEN DRINKS
Interested in making your home greener, but frustrated because you don’t have thousands to spend for a major renovation? This discussion focuses on ways that homeowners on a tight budget can change how they operate their homes to achieve significant energy savings. We will also discuss inexpensive upgrades that make easy do-it-yourself projects. Amy Musser will speak, and she is co-founder and principal of VandeMusser Design, PLLC, founded in 2002. Socializing at 5:30 and presentation is at 6 PM. Location is The Green Sage at 5 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville.
09/09/15 JUST PEACE FOR ISRAEL/PALESTINE MEETING
This meeting will be at 9:30 AM at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church at 117 Montreat Road in Black Mountain. Contact Susan at suchi1025@bellsouth.net for more information.
09/10/15 BUILDING BRIDGES
Building Bridges is starting a new seminar on the dynamics of racism and how it has impacted our relationships, institutions and community. The session runs from September 10 to November 5 from 7-9pm at AB Tech and costs $35. This is an outstanding opportunity to learn together how to improve our interactions. Registration is now open. For more information call 828 -777-4585.
09/10/15 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE OF WNC GENERAL MEETING
Join us as we plan and explore the upcoming Book Studies, the Care for our Common Home event and talk about spiritual practices as the roots to compassionate action. Time is 5:30 to 7 PM, and location is the First Baptist Church of Asheville at 5 Oak Street in downtown Asheville. Information came from their website.
09/10/15 POTLUCK AT DEMOCRATIC PARTY HEADQUARTERS
On the second Thursday of every month the Buncombe County Democrats have a Potluck at the Democratic Headquarters. The speaker for out September 10th Potluck will be Randy Bernard of Move On. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish or donate $5.00. The Potluck begins at 6 PM. Buncombe County Democratic Headquarters is at the very end of Old Fairview Road, off of Fairview Road in Oakley.
09/12/15 CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBY MEETING
Citizens Climate Lobby meets on 9-12-15 from 12:30-3 PM at Kairos West Community Center, 742 Haywood Road in west Asheville. We are advocating for a Carbon Fee & Dividend, which would impose a fee on fossil fuels at point entry; this fee will be refunded to individuals and families. There is bipartisan support in Congress as this will create jobs and help grow the economy, boosting renewables.For more information, contact asheville@citizensclimatelobby.org.
09/12/15 HENDERSON COUNTY BIG SWEEP (CLEAN UP)
Sign up for the Henderson County Big sweep, hosted by MountainTrue’s Southern Regional Office. Henderson County Big Sweep is a county-wide litter cleanup program that brings citizens and community organizations together to clear trash from their waterways. Anyone can join in the fun by registering with friends and family or by joining an existing team. Teams will hold cleanups between 9 AM - 3 PM in streams throughout the county. For more information or to volunteer for Henderson County Big Sweep with MountainTrue’s Southern Regional Office, contact Evan Parker, Water Quality Administrator, at (828) 692-0385 ext 1001.
09/12/15 HARD TO RECYCLE EVENT
Founded in 2011 by Rainbow Recycling, Hard 2 Recycle events are free to the public collections geared to bring awareness to other modes of recycling to our area. Four quarterly held collections to cover the four corners of the County and one central event in Downtown Asheville. Our goal is to educate, collect and divert items that would normally end up in the Landfill i.e Styrofoam, Electronics, Books, Batteries, Cooking Oil and much more. September 12th - Swannanoa - Madden Ace Hardware 2319 U.S. 70, Swannanoa (10 AM to 2 PM). Contact volunteer@ashevillegreenworks.org for more information or to confirm.
09/13/15 ASHEVILLE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN MEETING
Monthly meeting, free. Held at YWCA of Asheville at 185 French Broad Avenue. Time is 2 PM. Email ashevillenow@live.com for more information and to confirm.
09/16/15 GREEN DRINKS
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All” which aims to highlight the importance of all segments of society to work together to strive for peace. For our Asheville Green Drinks presentation, WNC 4 Peace will discuss what we have planned for International Day of Peace in Asheville and Black Mountain, and will discuss the many faceted diamond of peace, from inner peace to world peace. Socializing at 5:30 PM and presentation from 6 – 7 PM. Location is The Green Sage (Downtown) 5 Broadway St. in Asheville.
09/16/15 ASHEVILLE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN POSTCARD WRITING
We will gather at the Book Exchange in the Grove Arcade, downtown Asheville, to write letters and postcards to our legislators in Raleigh, urging them to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. September 17th is Women's Equality Day, and we think that's the perfect day to drop hundreds of post cards into the mail explaining the importance of the ERA, so we will meet the evening of September 16th to write our legislators and tell them the Equal Rights Amendment needs just three more states to become part of the Constitution. As it is, women are guaranteed no rights under the Constitution, and we believe it is long past time for that to change. Please be there. We can help you decide what to write and we will provide the postcards, the writing implements and the postage. Held at Book Exchange at the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville. Time is 6:30 PM. Email ashevillenow@live.com for more information and to confirm.
09/19/15 AMERICANS WHO TELL THE TRUTH EXHIBIT
Saturday, September 19 at 6 PM the exhibit at YMI (39 S. Market St.) called “Americans Who Tell the Truth” will open. Rev. William Barber of Moral Monday fame will speak as his portrait is unveiled September 19th for the first time as a new addition to other heroes on display for the “Americans Who Tell the Truth” exhibit. Mountain People's Assembly is hosting this event with YMI. This is a ticketed event, tickets start at $25. Go to YMI webpage for more information.
09/19/15 AND 09/20/15 HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE IN GREENVILLE SC
Carolina Human Rights OrgaNizing Conference (or CHRONIC) will hold a several day conference primarily on the issue of race relations on September 19-20, 2015 in Greenville, SC. See www.chronic2015.weebly.com for details.
09/19/15 GREEN GRANNIES SING FOR THE CLIMATE
Green Grannies Sing for the Climate at Pritchard Park at 5 PM. Google "Singfortheclimate" and come out and sing with us! This happens on the third Saturday of every month.
09/20/15 PEOPLE’S PEACE FESTIVAL IN ASHEVILLE
Special fun and educational events in Asheville will take place on Sunday, September 20. WNC 4 Peace will be collaborating with French Broad Food Coop to celebrate peace in the Asheville. Music, food, fun, family activities and information about peace will be in abundance as some 30 groups set up tables to educate participants. Time is 1 to 5 PM. Contact Rachael at rachael_bliss@yahoo.com for more information.
09/21/15 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE CELEBRATION IN DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE
On Monday, September 21, at 11:30 AM, WNC 4 Peace hosts a celebration for Peace Day (declared by the UN) in downtown Asheville. We will meet at the Peace Pole in front of Asheville City Hall, where participants will observe a moment of silence. Asheville bells will be rung all around town, peace activist and performer David LaMotte, Geri Littlejohn and Rhoda Weaver plan to sing and play music for the celebration. People of diverse beliefs will gather to explore the spirit of peace in a troubled world, while white doves are released to send our message out into the universe. Rain location will be First Congregational Church on Oak Street in downtown Asheville. This will go until about 1:15 PM. For more information, call Rachael at 828-378-0125.
09/21/15 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING
Location is the North Asheville Library at 1030 Merrimon Avenue in Asheville. Time is 7 PM. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Diana at dianakruk@gmail.com or 828-275-0680.
09/23/15 GREEN DRINKS
This legislative session has been jam-packed with moves to roll back environmental protections, hinder renewable energy, slash funding for open space protections and more. But it’s not all bad news. Many of our WNC legislators have stood against these shenanigans and are attempting to forward legislation to protect our communities’ natural resources. We’ll get you caught up on environmental outcomes of this legislative session, priorities between sessions and next year, and how you can get involved in holding our lawmakers accountable to the public they serve. Socializing at 5:30 and presentation is at 6 PM. Location is The Green Sage at 5 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville.
09/24/15 LEGISLATIVE WRAP UP BY MOUNTAIN TRUE IN HENDERSONVILLE
This legislative session has been jam-packed with moves to roll back environmental protections, hinder renewable energy, slash funding for open space protections and more. But it’s not all bad news. Many of our WNC legislators have stood against these shenanigans and are attempting to forward legislation to protect our communities’ natural resources. We’ll get you caught up on environmental outcomes of this legislative session, priorities between sessions and next year, and how you can get involved in holding our lawmakers accountable to the public they serve. Time is 6 to 8 PM and location is Biz 611 at 611 North Church Street in Hendersonville, which is the MountainTrue office. For any questions and to RSVP, please contact Joan at Joan@Mountaintrue.org, 828-575-6268 ext. 205.
09/24/15 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE OF WNC DINNER AND EVENT
“Caring for Our Common Home: Responding to the Pope’s call for action” is the theme for this event. Time is 6 to 8 PM and location is St. Eugene’s Catholic Church at 72 Culvern Street in Asheville. Join with others to be inspired by the words of the Pope’s Encyclical and watch Pope Francis’ address to Congress. Light dinner included. Discuss what the Pope’s message means to the world and commit to one behavioral change to better care for God’s Creation. Sponsored by the Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina. Information came from their website.
09/24/15 ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES SUMMIT
The main speaker talks about how to build compassionate communities for our children, and one of the critical breakout sessions is “The First 2000 Days”. If we can expose them to compassion and alternatives to violence early, anything is possible! $199 for entire conference and you can just register for parts. Dates are 09/24/15 to 09/26/15 and location is Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville. Contact Robyn at forrestwife@yahoo.com for more information including how to register. This is sponsored by MAHEC.
09/24/15 to 09/27/15 SOUTHEAST GE TREES ACTION CAMP
Global Justice Ecology Project and the Campaign to STOP GE Trees Presents: The Southeast GE Trees Action Camp. This is a Dogwood Alliance Partner Event. The US South is ground zero for GE trees, and now more than ever, we need to come together to save native forests and stop GE trees. Join for four days of training to take action to prevent the release of GE trees. Participants of the action camp will be given an overview of the current state of GE trees, with a focus on the US South, as well as training in organizing, direct action, blockades, our rights as protestors, how to use media and art in protests, among other critical topics. The goal of the training is for the immediate and direct use of skills and knowledge gained at the action camp in protests and organizing against GE trees. Application deadline is 09/02/15. Please contact Ruddy at Ruddy@globaljusticeecology.org for more information including where to go register.
09/29/15 POVERTY SIMULATION BY JUST ECONOMICS
CJJ Sponsored Poverty Simulation: The Difficulty of Living on Minimum Wage in WNC. Join Just Economics in a poverty simulation that will provide the community an opportunity to learn first-hand how difficult it is to live on a minimum wage salary in WNC. The cost is $10. Participation will be limited to the first 45 registrants. Time is 4 to 6 PM and location is the Edington Education & Career Center at 133 Livingston Street in Asheville. For more information or to register, contact Judy Leavitt at judleavitt76@gmail.com.
09/30/15 GREEN DRINKS
Curious about solar energy? Want to know your options for switching over to solar? Join Asheville Green Drinks in meeting Erika Schneider, director of communications at Sundance Power Systems and Bill Maloney, the Solar Panels Project Coordinator at St. Eugene Catholic Church. Erika will help clarify the difference with the direct purchase, finance or lease options for your future or dream solar installation. As legislation can vary between states, she will also touch on current legislation surrounding solar energy in NC. St. Eugene Catholic Church in Asheville is installing over 100 Solar Panels this September to coincide with the visit of Pope Francis to the US. In his Encyclical “Laudato Si” we are encouraged to take Care of the Earth. This 45.99 KW DC Net Metered system will reduce CO2 emissions and our dependence on fossil fuel, provide 22% of the Church’s electricity, and give a 35% NC tax credit and 30% Federal charitable tax deduction to donors. MB Haynes Energy Solutions of Asheville will do the installation. The presentation will discuss our project and show how your Congregation can do the same. Socializing at 5:30 PM and presentation from 6 – 7 PM. Location is The Green Sage (Downtown) 5 Broadway St. in Asheville.
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ONGOING EVENTS
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TUESDAY
Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument
WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville
THURSDAY
Showing Up For Racial Justice meeting at noon at Firestorm Cafe & Books in west Asheville.
FRIDAY
Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville
Women in Black have a monthly vigil at 5 PM at Vance Monument in Asheville (first Friday only)
SATURDAY
Transylvanians for Peace and WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility have a weekly vigil at noon in front of the courthouse in Brevard. Call 884-3435 to confirm.
Third Saturdays – Asheville’s Green Grannies invites the public to “sing for the climate” at Pritchard Park at 5 PM.
SUNDAY
Youth OUTright meeting from 4 to 6 PM at First Congregational United Church of Christ at 20 Oak Street in Asheville. Ages 14 - 23 only.
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ACTIONS AND READINGS
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EARLY REGISTRATION RATE EXPIRES ON 09/01/15:
11/12/15 to 11/15/15 PEACE CONFERENCE AT LAKE JUNALUSKA
This will be November 12-15, 2015 at Lake Junaluska. Theme will be “Longing for Peace/Exploring the Heart of God”. Keynote speakers are Rabia Terri Harris, founder of the Muslim Peace Fellowship; Rabbi Or Rose, founding director of the Center for Global Judaism at Hebrew College and Dr. Sam Wells, vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. Special music by Yuval Ron and Ensemble-- a world-renowned musician, composer, educator, peace activist, and record producer. The Yuval Ron Ensemble has been actively involved in creating musical bridges between people of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths. They will perform Saturday eve. Registration is $120 before Sept. 1 and $145 afterward. Packages which include registration, lodging and meals are available. Register via Lake Junaluska website or call 828-454-6682 for more information.
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FROM UNCA CENTER FOR DIVERSITY EDUCATION:
2042 ASCORE Leadership Awards - Nominations open through September 18
From 1960 - 1965, high school students with the Asheville Student Committee on Racial Equality (ASCORE) worked to desegregate our mountain home including restaurants, schools, busses, libraries, businesses, and more. 50 years later their legacy will be honored with the 2042 ASCORE Leadership Awards as part of the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the UNC Asheville Center for Diversity Education. Five awards, at $500 each, will be given to young adults between the ages of 21 - 40 (by December 31, 2015) who exemplify a few of the characteristics that made ASCORE and ASCORE members so successful.
Desired attributes as evidenced by ASCORE members:
ASCORE members practiced PEER-TO-PEER MENTORING by identifying and supporting the students their age as well as somewhat younger than them. These were often siblings, cousins, next-door neighbors, fellow church members, and classmates in close proximity. They worked to help build their skill set to take on more responsibility as each class matriculated from high school to college. Willette Burton - "I begged, and my cousin Susan begged, to let us walk the picket line. We weren't conscious of the entire movement, but we felt like we wanted to be there, because there were kids our age who couldn't work there, and I knew some of them who had gone down just to be bad boys. But we decided that we were going to ask if we can. First, well, they said no, but we just kept on asking. So I was the youngest one on the ticket line [12].I have an older cousin, Barney, who was there at the time and he told my Mom "She'll be all right!"
ASCORE members engaged with the white community in PARTNERSHIPS TO BUILD COALITIONS. James Ferguson shared "Some us used to meet with a group called, The Greater Asheville Intergroup Youth Association. GIYA I think it was called. There was a group of young people, black and white, who would meet together to talk about race and talk about our differences. The idea was to begin to promote race relations at that time. I remember that it was organized by a group of white ladies in the community. I was a part of it from the time I was in late junior high school or in high school. So that's when I first remember thinking about race in terms of things being unjust. I knew they were unjust, but talking about it was not something that happened across racial lines".
ASCORE members actively sought out adult MENTORS and COMMUNITY RESOURCES for advice and support. Annette Penland Coleman recalls with great fondness Mr. William Roland. "He was so sensitive and I admired him so much. He was a mentor. He always reminded us to remain non-violent and under no circumstances to hit back - even if they called us a nigger. He stressed not to retaliate. He encouraged us far beyond the issue of how unfairly we were treated as citizens and reminded us that an education was about power".
ASCORE members were CREATIVE in their non-violent activities. Sandra Burton Hughes recalls, "One place we protested was at the A and W on Biltmore Avenue. It was a drive-in back then, and they had servers on roller skates, so they didn't want to hire any black servers. We decided that we would just run a wagon train on them. We would get in the cars, and we drive, and drive, and drive around in circles, but never order anything. Most everybody - the young white kids - they all had cars. They would get in the trucks, and they didn't know what to do. So nobody was buying anything".
The candidates are to:
Actively work to promote equity and inclusion in their daily life and work
Be between the ages of 21 - 40 by December 31, 2015
Live in Buncombe County
Be available to attend luncheon award ceremony on November 6, 2015
Contact Deborah Miles at dmiles@unca.edu for more information.
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Will you join America's Journey For Justice in North Carolina?
On August 1, the NAACP kicked off America's Journey for Justice. We're marching across the South to the steps of our nation's Capital to shout "Our lives, our votes, our jobs, our schools matter." And we refuse to be ignored.
The march will enter North Carolina on August 29th. The route is 206 miles and will last 10 days. There will be vehicles following the marchers for those who need to take a break throughout the day. Dates and locations are subject to change. AJFJ marchers will be provided with breakfast, a boxed lunch, and dinner each day that they participate. Marchers will sleep in churches and different anchor locations along the route. Partial day participants will have to arrange their own transportation back to their vehicles.
Marchers will leave from designated anchor locations every morning to begin marching by 7:30 AM and be dropped off by bus where the marchers stopped the day before. They will be brought back to the anchor locations every afternoon at 4:00 PM for teach-ins, entertainment, and fellowship. For more information, visit www.naacpnc.org/journey_for_justice
Support the Journey For Justice in North Carolina
There are many ways that you and your organization can support the Journey For Justice in NC in addition to being a marcher. If you have any questions about how to support, you can contact State Coordinator Rev. Curtis Gatewood at curtis.gatewood@naacpnc.org or (919) 682-4700 ext. 220.
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