3 Raging Grannies arrested for protesting in N. Carolina

Three Raging Grannies were among the 27 arrested in front of the N. Carolina Legislature Monday for protesting the Republican-dominated legislature agenda, which include “a bevy of bills that Progressives say target poor North Carolinians, including one that makes it harder for students to have access to pre-K education.” takepart.com/article/2013/05/07/raging-grannies-arrested-protest-preschool-cuts “All were there to protest ‘the avalanche of extremist policies’ coming from the legislature, said the Rev. William Barber, NAACP president. Among the laws and proposals they opposed are the decision not to expand Medicaid to working class people, the proposed voter ID law, and the move to repeal the Racial Justice Act, which deals with race and the death penalty,” according to the News Observer article (read more here: Newsobserver.com/2013/05/06/2875423/27-arrested-while-protesting-laws.html

… “North Carolina Republicans have embarked on a radically conservative path, cutting unemployment benefits, cutting taxes on the wealthy, raising taxes on the poor, restricting welfare and access to job placement programs, and rejecting federal money to expand Medicaid services.” – rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/07/raging-grannies-among-30-arrested-at-north-carolina-legislature/

A comment from Vicki Ryder, who was one of the three arrested with Raging Grannies Lorna and Ruth:

“New and repressive legislation continues to spew out of the legislature at an amazing pace. With the right wing in the majority, they are in freefall. Last night, while we were being held in custody, theyvoted to allow concealed weapons on college campuses, state property, greenways, bike trails, at sporting events and in businesses that serve alcohol. – (wral.com/house-votes-to-relax-gun-laws-in-nc/12417880)

Ryder writes they were heartened by “a crowd of supporters that included six more Grannies (Jane, Chris, Lory, Joan, Kathy, and Miriam) who had sung before we arrived. Their hugs and smiles stayed with us inside….”

We stand with you Triangle Area Grannies, and are so proud to be affiliated with a strong group of women standing up against unjust laws!