The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina is joining others in the state each Monday to advocate for legislation on moral issues. Following is from the statement they have issued:
As you may know, people have been gathering on Monday evenings to offer vigilant witness on moral issues being considered by our elected state officials. We share their concern for many of the issues they are bringing forth.
The Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler of Union Seminary (Charlotte) recently summarized the effect of pending and enacted legislation especially on the poor, the aging and children.
“As you read this letter, the North Carolina General Assembly is passing bills that will remove 500,000 people from the Medicaid roles leaving them without health insurance; that will remove 170,000 people from unemployment when unemployment rates remain at historically high levels; that threaten to replace the graduated state income tax with a consumption tax that will adversely impact the poorest North Carolinians who will face increased prices on basic goods; that will force college students to return to their often distant homes to vote or cost their parents their $2,500 dependency deduction…. These and many other bills will adversely impact those who can least afford it and therefore demand a fervent response from people of faith! “
From the News Observer:
Despite tornado warnings across the state, several thousand demonstrators gathered Monday under rainy skies to continue the weekly protests of the new policies and laws coming out of the General Assembly.
This week, religious leaders from around the state led the rally that resulted more than 80 arrests, according to Jamie Phillips, an state NAACP attorney. A reporter with The Charlotte Observer, who was interviewing demonstrators, was among those detained.
Many arrested were clergy
.
Melissa Harris-Perry interviews participants:
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Signatories:
The Right Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
The Reverend Dr. Leonard Bolick, Bishop, Synod of North Carolina, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Reverend Ted Churn, Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of New Hope, Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Raleigh
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church
Bishop Larry Goodpaster, Western North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church
The Right Reverend Alfred “Chip” Marble, Assisting Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
The Reverend Anne Hodges-Copple, Bishop Suffragan-elect, Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
The Right Reverend Porter Taylor, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina
The Reverend Betty Meadows, Transitional Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Charlotte, Presbyterian Church (USA)