Moral Monday, its first major rally outside of the state capitol. Today’s “fusion politics,” Barber explained, means putting aside a focus on single-issue politics. “We are destroying the myth of the old white Southern strategy — that you can hurt some people without hurting everybody,” he said. “On one occasion I spoke on the LGBT issue, and the LGBT community spoke on voting rights. We realize we’re all interconnected. This old divide and conquer is not going to work anymore.” Rally ‘round the flag As an unseasonably breezy afternoon ended, people made their way into Pack Square Park. Some came individually, others in groups. To judge by those who carried signs, their grievances were many, such as legislators’ refusal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and cuts in support for low-income families. Whatever their particular reasons, they’d responded by the thousands to Barber’s call for a “new South, a new North Carolina and a new future.” They waved banners for local causes, too, such as the fight over local control of the water system and the closing of the Femcare clinic. “Now that they’ve closed [Femcare], what do they want women to do?” Asheville resident Honour Stewart told Xpress. “They’re not looking out for us. Tell them to go frack off.” Local teachers Regina Blount and Demetra Harris wore blue shirts with the word “Practice” on them, representing a push to encourage people to become more involved in the political process and local elections. Harris said she worries that “hundreds of students won’t have the services they need.” “We need more people in the classroom so children can really be supported,” Blount added. Local speakers talked about such issues and more, while some people actively registered voters, solicited donations and signed people up for various groups involved in the coalition. Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, director of the Asheville-based Campaign for Southern Equality, took up Barber’s call to fuse groups and goals. “We are part of every single community represented here,” she said. “When you attack any community, you attack us. When you attack us, you attack every community.”
Some state legislators mingled with the crowd. Reps. Nathan Ramsey and Tim Moffitt, both Republicans who represent Buncombe County, said they were there to listen and talk with protestors. Moffitt was grilled by some residents and blasted by local activist Heather Rayburn in her speech attacking his connection with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a group that has helped coordinate conservative legislation across the country. Meanwhile, the Buncombe Young Republicans engaged in a prank petition. Bring it home As Barber got ready to speak, more people flowed into the square, covering the park in a tight mass and cheering the local speakers. Then the preacher got them going. “From the mountains to the coast, we’re sick of this mess,” Barber declared. “This is no momentary hyperventilation or liberal screaming match; this is a movement. We have a governor that has decided to be on the wrong side of history. We have
Full house: Protesters filled Pack Square Park during the biggest demonstration in years.
Sponsored by Falderal Winery & Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards Hosted at Mountain Inn & Suites
Photo by Jonathan Coble
a legislature that is bragging and boasting about its power and is legislating on the basis of lies and discrimination. Though they have temporary power, the future does not belong to them.” The attendees shouted and cheered through Barber’s remarks. He blasted the new voting restrictions as a “crime against democracy,” and the crowd burst into applause. “We’ve been through too much, we’ve learned too much, we’ve seen too much, we’ve waged too many battles,” he said. “When you mess with the right to vote, you desecrate the graves and blood of the martyrs.” Barber drew a breath and continued: “You might win a vote or two in the legislature, but ultimately we’re going to win.” A few more speakers followed the reverend, but his words defined the event. “Injustice has its moments, but the future doesn’t belong to injustice.” X
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Saturday, September 28th Mountain Inn and Suites
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