Alanna Joyner

National Survey Finds Teacher Shortage Crisis Exacerbated By Censorship In Classrooms

By Alanna Joyner / January 24, 2022 / Comments Off on National Survey Finds Teacher Shortage Crisis Exacerbated By Censorship In Classrooms

A new national survey released last week highlights how laws seeking to censor issues of race, gender or other topics in the classroom are adding to the list of reasons teachers are leaving the profession.  This comes as Republican state legislations across the country, including North Carolina, are pushing to censor teachers from educating students…

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President Biden’s First Year

By Alanna Joyner / January 19, 2022 / Comments Off on President Biden’s First Year

Tomorrow marks the first year since the Biden-Harris Administration took office. Despite inheriting a nation recovering from a right-wing attack, divisive presidency, a pandemic and economic crises, President Joe Biden’s administration has taken numerous decisive actions to restore and strengthen the country. During the first year in office, President Biden has far outpaced his predecessor…

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On MLK Day, The King Family and Activists Marched For Voting Rights

By Alanna Joyner / January 18, 2022 / Comments Off on On MLK Day, The King Family and Activists Marched For Voting Rights

As the nation grapples with continued attacks on civil and voting rights, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday offered a time to reflect, while moving many to demand leaders push for voting rights protections. In demonstrations Monday, members of the King family, activists and communities declared that there could be “no celebration without…

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After maps ruling, it’s up to the state Supreme Court to defend democracy in NC

By Alanna Joyner / January 12, 2022 / Comments Off on After maps ruling, it’s up to the state Supreme Court to defend democracy in NC

Yesterday, a three-judge Superior Court panel ruled unanimously that the legislative and Congressional maps are constitutional, despite acknowledging that the Republican map drawers crafted pro-Republican partisan gerrymanders.  While the court’s ruling is disappointing, the plaintiffs in the suit are expected to appeal the ruling – moving the case to its next stop: the State Supreme…

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North Carolinians disagrees with Phil Berger Jr., Voters Support State Courts To Be Fair and Impartial

By Alanna Joyner / January 11, 2022 / Comments Off on North Carolinians disagrees with Phil Berger Jr., Voters Support State Courts To Be Fair and Impartial

On Friday, Justice Phil Berger Jr. renounced his refusal to recuse himself  from NAACP v. Moore, a lawsuit regarding the 2018 constitutional amendments on Voter ID and the income tax cap. The plaintiffs, the NAACP and the Southern Environmental Law Center, have asked for Justice Berger’s recusal because his own father, Senate Majority Leader Phil…

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Quick-moving North Carolina redistricting suit trial begins this week

By Alanna Joyner / January 6, 2022 / Comments Off on Quick-moving North Carolina redistricting suit trial begins this week

A fast-moving trial over North Carolina’s new voting maps kicked off Monday, with expert testimony establishing the state’s Republican lawmakers used 2021 voting maps to give themselves an advantage in state legislative and congressional elections. The maps in question would give Republican candidates clear advantages in 10 of 14 congressional seats. Mathematicians, political scientists, and…

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Anniversary of the Attack on U.S. Capitol

By Alanna Joyner / January 6, 2022 / Comments Off on Anniversary of the Attack on U.S. Capitol

Today marks one year since armed right-wing militants attacked our country – storming the U.S. Capitol while waving symbols of white supremacy. One year since Trump and his Republican allies attempted to undermine the will of the people and our freedom as voters to choose the leaders that represent us. One year since seven of…

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Democratic governors press U.S. Senate to act on voting rights legislation

By Alanna Joyner / December 15, 2021 / Comments Off on Democratic governors press U.S. Senate to act on voting rights legislation

Seventeen Democratic governors, including North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper, are urging the U.S. Senate to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act that are aimed at protecting voting rights.  “Without decisive action by the federal government this year to protect voters’ access to the ballot and ensure the…

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North Carolinians Are Fed Up With Gerrymandering, Want Courts to Ensure Fair Maps

By Alanna Joyner / December 14, 2021 / Comments Off on North Carolinians Are Fed Up With Gerrymandering, Want Courts to Ensure Fair Maps

Across the country, Republicans are locking in newly gerrymandered maps for state legislatures that are aimed at securing the party’s control over the next decade – solidifying a political advantage for Republicans at the expense of fair representation for voters.  In North Carolina, Republicans crafted gerrymandered maps that blatantly pack and split communities apart to…

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North Carolina Voters, Including Republicans, Want Fair Election Maps

By Alanna Joyner / December 9, 2021 / Comments Off on North Carolina Voters, Including Republicans, Want Fair Election Maps

Amid ongoing redistricting litigation, a new poll from Progress NC Action highlights North Carolina voters’ support for election maps that are fair and constitutional. This comes as several lawsuits from groups and residents across North Carolina are pending to challenge the new legislative lines. The lines in question are the congressional and legislative maps which…

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