Options for Action the Week of May 12
- Blowing Rock Persisters
- May 12
- 2 min read
Updated: May 29
We start with some good news:
Griffin Conceded!
After an appropriately scathing ruling by US District Judge Richard Myers, losing candidate Jefferson Griffin conceded, and Justice Allison Riggs’s victory will finally be certified. This is good news, but grave concerns remain because the NC Court of Appeals and NC Supreme Court were willing to trample on voters’ rights to achieve partisan goals.
SB 516 Bathroom Bill stopped for now
The bill we condemned last week as legislated bullying did not make the “crossover deadline,” so it is unlikely to become law at this point.
A few options for action this week
Stay informed of actions by the NC General Assembly
We recommend reading this report on the status of NC legislation now that the so-called “cross-over” deadline has passed: https://ncnewsline.com/2025/05/09/north-carolina-legislature-has-passed-key-crossover-deadline-catch-up-on-bills-progress/
If any stand out to you (the unfunded mandate that could further criminalize homelessness especially bothers us), share your thoughts with State Senator Hise ralph.hise@ncleg.gov and/or Representative Ray Pickett ray.pickett@ncleg.gov.
Immigrant Rights Advocacy Week: May 19-23, 2025
Take a stand against proposed bills attacking the immigrant community in North Carolina. ACLU and others will host a zoom call on May 13th at 6:30PM to discuss advocacy actions for the week and ways you can get involved. Register at this zoom link
Tell Foxx, Tillis, and Budd to oppose the reconciliation budget
The 5Calls website provides a helpful overview of the proposed reconciliation budget, including cuts to Medicaid that would cause millions to lose healthcare, additional funding for the brutal and illegal actions of ICE, selling public lands, new annual registration fees for electric and hybrid cars, and more. https://5calls.org/issue/budget-reconciliation-federal-cuts/ Their website provides contact information and call scripts.
Save these dates
Tuesday, May 20th Public hearing on the proposed county budget 5:30 pm in the Watauga County Administration Building
June 14th No Kings Day Stay tuned for plans for nationwide protests, including another local one sponsored by Indivisible Watauga
June 21st Indivisible Watauga membership and potluck 5-8 pm at High Country United Church of Christ Gathering Place
A housekeeping note:
New website: Thanks to the generous efforts of one Persister, a snazzy new website is underway for the Blowing Rock Persisters. We can be found at blowingrockpersisters.com as well as our original site blowingrockpersisters.blogspot.com. This will allow for more readable emails in the future, so stay tuned.
