Human Rights

North Carolina communities and advocates push for change amid Roe V. Wade opinion

By Alanna Joyner / May 11, 2022 / Comments Off on North Carolina communities and advocates push for change amid Roe V. Wade opinion

While the draft from the Supreme Court to dismantle the fundamental right to abortion was a shock to millions of Americans, advocates around the nation have been sounding the alarm for months. In North Carolina, advocates have been seeing the writing on the wall for years, and understand the importance of protecting reproductive health for…

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Communities across the nation protest amid Supreme Court draft opinion on Roe V. Wade

By Eleanore Wood / May 9, 2022 / Comments Off on Communities across the nation protest amid Supreme Court draft opinion on Roe V. Wade

A draft opinion, revealing that the Supreme Court plans to dismantle the fundamental right to abortion and overturn nearly 50 years of precedent, has been met with a wave of protests across the country.  The draft, which was published by Politico on Monday, is not final but has prompted communities, activists, lawmakers and governors, including…

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More Communities Across the State Pass Nondiscrimination Ordinances

By Alanna Joyner / April 21, 2022 / Comments Off on More Communities Across the State Pass Nondiscrimination Ordinances

Raleigh, Knightdale, and Morrisville join the growing list of North Carolina communities that have passed LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination ordinances. So far, 18 communities across the state have adopted local protections from discrimination in employment and public accommodation. The adoption of ordinances protects North Carolinians from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, natural hairstyle and more.…

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U.S. House passes bill to cap insulin prices

By Alanna Joyner / April 5, 2022 / Comments Off on U.S. House passes bill to cap insulin prices

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill with a bipartisan vote that would limit the monthly price of insulin to $35 for insured patients – helping millions of Americans and North Carolinians living with diabetes. According to the Health Care Cost Institute, between 2012 and 2016, the price of insulin almost doubled.…

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Moral Mondays returns to Raleigh, advocates and community members push for change

By Alanna Joyner / March 29, 2022 / Comments Off on Moral Mondays returns to Raleigh, advocates and community members push for change

On Monday, faith leaders and community activists in Raleigh gathered together to push lawmakers to enact policies that center the demands of poor and low-wealth North Carolinians.  The Moral Monday revival is part of a national movement leading up to a major march in the nation’s capital on June 18, the “Mass Poor People’s and…

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Before Rosa Parks, Sarah Keys refused to back down.

By Alanna Joyner / February 14, 2022 / Comments Off on Before Rosa Parks, Sarah Keys refused to back down.

Before Rosa Parks made history by refusing to give up her bus seat, Sarah Keys did the same.  On August 1, 1952, the young Army private traveling to Washington, North Carolina, refused to give up her seat on an interstate bus for a white Marine. From NCPedia: Sarah Keys decided to stay seated to defend…

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Before the Greensboro Four, there was Durham’s Royal Seven

By Alanna Joyner / February 11, 2022 / Comments Off on Before the Greensboro Four, there was Durham’s Royal Seven

In an effort to celebrate Black History Month, Progress NC Action is highlighting prominent Black leaders from North Carolina, who have shaped our state through their contributions to arts, sciences, politics, and more. North Carolina’s place in the civil rights movement is largely connected with the 1960s Greensboro Four sit-in. But three years prior, a…

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Wake commissioners unanimously pass ordinance protecting LGBTQ community

By Alanna Joyner / October 20, 2021 / Comments Off on Wake commissioners unanimously pass ordinance protecting LGBTQ community

This week, the Wake County Board of Commissioners and Raleigh City Council unanimously approved a nondiscrimination ordinance that would establish protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, natural hairstyle and more. The expansion of protections marks Wake County and Raleigh as the 14th and 15th local government to pass a nondiscrimination ordinance. The…

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House budget writers adopt the extreme view that NC constitution is optional

By Alanna Joyner / August 16, 2021 / Comments Off on House budget writers adopt the extreme view that NC constitution is optional

Last week, the Republican-led state House unveiled it’s 600+ page budget that falls short of truly investing in North Carolina. House lawmakers voted 72 to 41 on Thursday to give final approval to their $25.7 billion budget plan that prioritizes tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy while ignoring the needs in education, public health…

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Right thing to do.’ In historic vote, Charlotte expands LGBTQ protections

By Alanna Joyner / August 10, 2021 / Comments Off on Right thing to do.’ In historic vote, Charlotte expands LGBTQ protections

On Monday, Charlotte’s City Council unanimously voted in favor of a nondiscrimination  ordinance that would establish protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, natural hairstyle and more.  The expansion of protections marks Charlotte as the tenth North Carolina community to pass a nondiscrimination ordinance. This comes after 5 years since the state blocked…

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