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Options for action the week of July 28

We applaud the thirty people, most dressed in shades of black and gold, who packed the courtroom meeting last week, in which two currently serving Democrats were formally replaced by a Republican and Democrat, securing a 3-2 majority for the Republicans. The meeting ended with a silent protest in which everyone stood to hold up papers calling for Fair Elections and Protect our Access to the Vote. This rapid call to action was coordinated by Indivisible High Country.


Thank you, too, to all who could drop by Saturday’s Human Rights Commission event to support disability awareness at a time when people with disabilities face great harm from federal cuts to Medicaid, medical research, education, and inclusion resources.


A few options for action this week


1.  Pop-up rally to protest Representative Virginia Foxx


Indivisible BNC (Boone) is organizing a rally to protest Rep. Virginia Foxx's attacks on America, our civil rights, and the marginalized people in our community and throughout the 5th Congressional District on Thursday, July 31 8-10 am at the corner of State Farm and Shadowline Drive near her district office in Boone. Learn more details by signing up on https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/818922/



2. Tell State Senator Ralph Hise you support Governor Stein’s vetoes.


The NC Senate will begin casting votes to override Governor Stein’s vetoes of SB 50 (allowing permitless carry of handguns), SB 153 (forcing state law enforcement to neglect their duties in order to assist with brutal ICE activities instead), SB 227 and 558 (banning diversity, equity and inclusion practices in schools), and SB 266 (rollback of an emissions goal for Duke Energy.) Find out more from this report by NC Newsline: https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-senate-will-vote-to-override-steins-vetoes-on-concealed-guns-dei-and-immigration-next-week/



Let State Senator Hise know that you support Governor Stein’s vetoes, and he should vote against any override votes.

Contact him at: NC Senator Ralph Hise 919-733-3460 and/or ralph.hise@ncleg.gov


3. Urge your federal representatives to call for an end to mass starvation in Gaza


Right now, 1 in 3 people living in Gaza are going multiple days without eating as a result of a blockade limiting delivery of humanitarian aid. 470,000 people are experiencing famine-like conditions, and 90,000 women and children require treatment for malnutrition (World Food Programme). We agree with Pope Leo, who appealed to the international community “to observe humanitarian law and respect the obligation to protect civilians as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of populations.” Our call script below draws from information provided by the World Food Programme, which currently has enough food ready to feed the entire population of Gaza for three months.


Possible script: I am calling to urge you to publicly support a sustained flow of humanitarian supplies under the management of the United Nations to stop the mass starvation in Gaza, including

  • At least 100 aid trucks per day to be allowed through northern, central and southern border points in a sustained and predictable manner. (One report suggests the need for 400-500 per day overall)

  • Faster loading and dispatching of trucks from crossing points into Gaza.

  • No armed presence nor shooting near convoy routes or civilian aid distribution points.

  • Uninterrupted connectivity to allow humanitarian organizations to coordinate effectively.

  • A sustained ceasefire that creates the necessary conditions for safe, scaled, and impactful humanitarian aid.


Senator Tillis (202) 224-6342


Senator Budd (202) 224-3154


Representative Virginia Foxx (828) 265-0240


Mark your calendar


The Watauga Board of Elections will meet at 5 pm on Tuesday, August 5 to determine early voting sites for this fall’s municipal elections. This meeting will be held in courtroom 3 (on the right on the main floor as you enter the main entrance to the courthouse). Their ongoing meeting dates will be the second Tuesdays of the month at 5 pm in the Administration Building.


The Watauga County Board of County Commissioners will meet at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, August 5 in the commissioners’ board room in the Administration Building.


The Watauga Board of Education holds its regular monthly meetings on the second Monday of each month at 6 pm, so the next likely meeting will be Monday, August 11, 2025 (the timing of our emails makes it hard to give notice in a timely way). You can see agendas and minutes of previous meetings at https://www.wataugaschools.org/about-us/board-of-education/board-of-education-meetings



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The Blowing Rock Persisters







Please email us at blowingrockpersisters@gmail.com to share ideas and comments.

 
 
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