Important Upcoming Events for NC Social Justice Advocates

You probably already know that the General Assembly goes into session on Wednesday, January 30. They’ve already had a one-day organizational meeting. You probably also already know that this will be a difficult session for those of us who have worked for years (or even decades) for justice for all North Carolinians, especially the most vulnerable in our midst. Because of that, there are two important events I hope you’ll put on your calendars and plan to attend:

1) Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ) 2013. The pre-HKonJ worship service will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 8, at the Rush Metropolitan AME Zion Church in Raleigh. Then this year’s Mass Mobilization to End Poverty and Economic Injustice will be on Saturday, February 9, gathering near Shaw University in Raleigh at 9:30 a.m. folowed by marching to the General Assembly Building. HKonJ is coordinated by the NC NAACP and co-sponsored by scores of other organizations, including the NC Council of Churches. More information, including what you can do now to be organizing in your congregation, can be found at www.hkonj.com.

2) The NC Council’s 2013 Legislative Seminar. It will take place on Thursday, April 11, in Raleigh. As usual, the day’s program will include worship and a series of workshops to equip us to be informed advocates at the General Assembly. This will include briefings on specific issues, general information about legislative advocacy, and more. Details, including registration info, will be coming out soon, but I wanted to get the date on your calendars.

It’s important to come together for these gatherings for at least two reasons: First, it shows others that prophetic, progressive people of faith aren’t going to go away and hide just because the legislative climate is not so favorable here in North Carolina. And, second, it’s important for us to be together with like-minded souls. It’s going to be a hard session; we need each other.

I hope to see you at HKonJ on February 8 and 9 and at the Legislative Seminar on April 11.

–George Reed, Executive Director