Dueling rallies set to open special session

State lawmakers coming back into special session tomorrow may have to wade through dueling rallies to get into the building.

Posted 4:37 p.m. Jul 12, 2011 — Updated 4:49 p.m. Jul 12, 2011

Laura Leslie

State lawmakers coming back into special session tomorrow may have to wade through dueling rallies to get into the building.

Democracy NC and other groups are staging a “Respect and Protect our Vote” Rally at 11:00 am Wednesday in front of the legislature on Jones St. They’re asking lawmakers to sustain the governor’s veto of H351, the Voter ID bill, and to fight other measures they say would restrict North Carolina voting rights. More on that here.

Americans for Prosperity is also holding an 11am rally Wednesday - they'll be on Halifax Mall behind the legislative building. AFP is urging lawmakers to override Perdue’s vetoes of the Voter ID bill, the offshore drilling bill, and medical malpractice and regulatory reform measures. They’ll be accompanied by an inflatable oil derrick, bearing a sign reading “More Energy, More Jobs.” More details here.

AFP is hoping to drive up attendance through a robocall recorded by former Charlotte mayor and 2012 GOP gubernatorial hopeful Pat McCrory.

The call, which went out Monday, criticizes Perdue for “a series of highly political vetoes of bipartisan legislation.”

“We can’t let the Governor veto our jobs and prosperity without a fight,” McCrory says in the recording. “Your presence is needed. Please come to the General Assembly at 11am Wednesday to tell Governor Perdue she cannot veto the will of the people.”

AFP’s Dallas Woodhouse says McCrory won’t be attending Wednesday’s rally.

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