‘Mountain People’s Assembly’ forms; sets meeting for Jan. 23

The Mountain People’s Assembly meets January 23

ASHEVILLE On Thursday, January 23 at 6:30 pm the newly formed Mountain People’s Assembly, a coalition of area organizations, faith communities and individuals will meet at First Congregational Church, 20 Oak St. in downtown Asheville. The meeting will be held to elect remaining members of a Steering Committee, plan for the Moral March on Raleigh, and begin discussing issues that need to be addressed in the upcoming election year.  At this meeting, Action Teams will be formed to begin work on Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts, including voter registration, education and engagement.

The non-partisan coalition was created in December 2013 as a chapter of the original HKonJ coalition in Raleigh, which was formed in 2007 based on a 14-point agenda and focused on holding lawmakers accountable for the legislative decisions that impact North Carolinians.

The past legislative year has highlighted the abuse of power and hard-line policies coming out of the NC statehouse, decisions which have harshly impacted every segment of our state and its constituents. In response to the lawmaker’s actions, NC NAACP President Rev. William J. Barber, II and other local faith leaders, began bringing people together weekly for “Moral Monday” protests in Raleigh. Since April 2013, more than 900 people have been arrested in the Raleigh “Moral Monday” demonstrations, including at least 68 people from Western NC. The Western NC communities held their own Mountain Moral Monday in Asheville on August 5, 2013 with a record-breaking turnout of 10,000 people from across the region.

The January 23 meeting will also offer everyone the opportunity to sign up for buses that have been reserved to transport participants to the “Moral March on Raleigh” HKonJ People’s Assembly. The 8th annual rally will be held on Saturday, February 8 at 9:30 a.m. beginning at Shaw University and concluding at the NC General Assembly on Jones St.  Trolley transportation will be available in Raleigh for those who cannot walk the distance of the march but would like to attend.

Organizations including non-profits and worship communities, who are interested in joining the Mountain People’s Assembly, or would like more information about the February 8 march and People’s Assembly, can email info@mountainmoralmonday.org. To reserve a seat on the bus, please visit www.mountainmoralmonday.org.