Options for local action June 9-15
- Blowing Rock Persisters
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 23
Attend the No Kings protest in West Jefferson, NC Saturday June 14 10am to Noon
Indivisible High Country (formerly Indivisible Watauga) joined with Ashe County activists to sponsor the No Kings Rally in West Jefferson. Since we have been monitoring state politics, we applaud this effort to build stronger ties with like-minded people in Ashe County because our counties make up the bulk of State Representative Ray Pickett’s district, and we have been repeatedly disappointed by his votes on key issues.
For this June 14 protest, gather at 9:30 a.m. behind Badger Funeral Home across from the Ashe Arts Center, 303 School Ave., at 10 am march through downtown, and convene back at the starting point where speakers will address the crowd at 11 am. The march route is short and level.
Participants are asked to register at NoKings.org, where they can also get ideas for signs. Parking will be reserved near the rally site for people requiring handicapped access. Lawn chairs are welcome. Safety marshals will be on duty to direct traffic and to suggest parking options. Medical personnel will be on site. Organizers are committed to nonviolent actions. Direct questions about the No Kings event to indivisiblewatauga@gmail.com
Note: We have heard that some who can’t make the trip to West Jefferson may take part in an informal, pop-up rally at 2 pm on the grass in front of the senior center in Boone. Wherever or however you choose to peacefully protest, thank you for standing up for democracy.
Tell Senator Tillis and Budd to reject H.R. 1, the House Reconciliation Bill
This week would be a good time to contact our Senators to urge them to oppose the House Reconciliation Bill. Consider using this script from 5calls.org:
“I am calling to urge the Senator to oppose H.R. 1, the House budget reconciliation bill. This bill will cause millions of people on Medicaid to lose access to health care while making Medicaid more expensive and complex to administer. I am also deeply concerned about the CBO analysis showing that paying for wealthy people's tax cuts would lead to $500 billion in cuts to Medicare. This legislation will cut off millions of people from needed health care and will destroy lives and local economies, all while increasing the deficit by trillions.”
Senator Tillis (202) 224-6342
Senator Budd (202) 224-3154
In addition to calling, send them your thoughts via their website contact forms
Tell the Governor to veto any anti-immigrant legislation, especially SB 153 and HB 318, which both advanced last week in the General Assembly
Anyone in Raleigh on Tuesday, June 10, is invited to pack the gallery at 3 pm (voting on SB 153 expected at 4 pm).
You can leave a message for Governor Stein by calling: 919-814-2000, and then pressing 5. Tell him to veto SB 143 and HB 318 because they harm public safety, undermine local law enforcement, create an undue burden on local agencies, and promote racial profiling. You can also fill out this contact form: https://governor.nc.gov/contact/contact-governor-stein
Other Notes:
You won’t be surprised to hear that the opinionated Persister who observes our commission meetings was appalled by the commission’s vote to cut $10,000 in funding to the Hospitality House, a regional organization that provides shelter, housing options, and food access to those in need. You can read that report at this link as well as (somewhat) shorter reports on the May 20 and June 3 meetings.
