[Update x 2, Thursday, May 9: The AP is reporting that next Monday will be another “Moral Monday” at the General Assembly, with non-violent civil disobedience again in the offing.] [Update, Tuesday, May 7: The NAACP called for a candlelight vigil and protest rally tonight outside the Legislative Building. Because of predicted bad weather, they’ve […]
Bob Geary
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The ripple effect: NAACP’s Barber and civil disobedience in Raleigh
He starts with a prayer. The Rev. William Barber may say it, or he may call on a fellow pastor. The state NAACP president, Barber likes to cite the Christian teaching that we’ll be judged by how we treat the pooras Jesus said, “the least of these.” After the prayer, Barber leads his flock into […]
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UNC-CH senior arrested at the General Assembly: “I cannot in good conscience stand idly by”
photo by Bob GearyLegislature’s cops arresting Zaina Alsous (left, in custody) after she crossed the police line blocking entrance to the General Assembly yesterday. She was one of five students arrested during the NC Student Power Union demonstration. Five UNC system students, members of the NC Student Power Union, were arrested at the General Assembly […]
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Rep. Deborah Ross to TTA, former Rep. Grier Martin on deck
It’s one good progressive out, another ready to step back in: State Rep. Deborah Ross, D-Wake, is leaving the General Assembly to be general counsel at Triangle Transit. Former Rep. Grier Martin, D-Wake, who was moved (“double-bunked”) into the same Wake County district with Ross by the Republicans and stepped aside to let her stay […]
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Remembering Jamie Hahn, a positive force in a cynical time
As I write this, a week has passed since I finished my last column and went online to be rocked by horrendous news. Jamie and Nation Hahn, a young couple making their mark as progressive leaders in North Carolina, had been brutally attacked in their Raleigh home on Monday night. Social media was ablaze: Jamie […]
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[Updated] Losing Jamie Hahn: Raleigh and the power of passionate people
Photo by Gerda SteinJamie and Nation Hahn (left and center; the person at right is unidentified their friend David Blair) at an Obama rally last year [Update, Friday, 11 a.m.: Visitation tonight at Pullen Baptist has been extended to accommodate an expected large turnout. The time is now 5-8 p.m. Also, Jamie was on the […]
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The climate change movement is not resonating with the public
It was a brilliant, breezy Sunday afternoon in Raleigh, and I was torn between two events, each at 3. Climate change activists intended to encircle the Legislative Building in a planetary embrace. Runners were invited to Moore Square for a Boston Memorial run, a chance to donate money for the victims of the Boston Marathon […]
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Raleigh cyclists, ho! BikeRaleigh’s spring events 4 you
Nice day to think about fun rides for cyclists — check the link below for a list. Hey, nice job! “BikeRaleigh Events! content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/N… via @govdelivery“— Bob Geary (@rjgeary) April 17, 2013
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Breaking: Raleigh City Manager Allen out on 6-2 City Council vote
The City Council just met in special session and voted to end the tenure of City Manager Russell Allen effective July 1. The vote was 6-2. Mayor Nancy McFarlane said Allen’s been a good manager for Raleigh but after more than a decade in that job, someone with fresh ideas and a different approach to […]
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Activists prepare for the Climate Convergence on Raleigh
WHAT Climate Convergence on Raleigh WHEN Saturday, April 20, 9:30 a.m. & Sunday, April 21, 9 a.m. WHERE Workshops all day Saturday and on Sunday morning at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 125 Hillsborough St., adjacent to the State Capitol. A gathering on Halifax Mall, behind the Legislative Office Building, Sunday at 1:30 p.m. […]