Preface
By Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II
President, NC NAACP Conference of Branches
This report by Leonard Zeskind and Devin Burghart both grieves us and grabs us. It grieves us because almost 14 years into the 21st century it exposes the Tea Party agenda and how the North Carolina Legislature, under the leadership of Thom Tillis and Phil Berger, with Gov. McCrory’s approving pen, has become a bastion of Tea Party policy extremism. They have turned it into the Anti-People’s House, the Tea Party House, undermining and stalling policies that would advance health care, public education, equal protection under the law, and voting rights. It grieves us to see this in North Carolina, once arguably known as one of the more forward-thinking southern states.
But it also grabs our attention. It grabs our hearts. It grabs our justice sensibilities. This report is added proof that long walk to higher ground by the Forward Together Moral Monday Movement is of utmost importance. This report gives added urgency to our five national game changer policy objectives:
- Economic sustainability through good jobs and labor rights to eliminate poverty.
- Educational equality and excellence for all
- Health care and environmental justice for all
- Addressing disparities in the criminal justice system.
- Protecting and expanding voting and civil rights.
Forward Together. Not One Step Back! Why we shall not be moved in the fight for justice NOW!
William J. Barber II
