'Thankful Tuesday' rally shows support for GOP agenda
About 200 supporters expressed their appreciation Tuesday for North Carolina Republicans' efforts to cut taxes, require identification before voting and make getting abortions more difficult.
Posted — UpdatedRepublican groups organized a "Thankful Tuesday" rally at the government complex in Raleigh to praise the GOP-led legislature and Gov. Pat McCrory for their work passing conservative policies.
The event comes 24 hours after the 11th "Moral Monday" protest, led by the state chapter of the NAACP. More than 850 people have been arrested during those weekly demonstrations, which have drawn thousands of people from around the state to protest everything from cuts to unemployment benefits to requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls to proposed regulations on abortion clinics.
"The people who have been coming out on Mondays don't represent the North Carolina people," said Sen. Thom Goolsby, R-New Hanover, who attended Tuesday's rally. "They represent a far-left fringe."
Linda and Bill Parke of Pinehurst said they're McCrory backers and wanted to support ideas they believe North Carolina should follow. Bill Parke, 77, says the deal between the governor and top legislative leaders to cut personal and corporate taxes is a step in the right direction.
State GOP leaders said the rally was not intended to mirror or compete with the "Moral Monday" protests.
However, the GOP protesters were invited to a reception in the rotunda of the old state Capitol – an invitation not yet extended to those attending "Moral Monday" events.
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