Raleigh protesters carry coffins to protest state budget plan, call attention to healthcare needs

About 100 people gathered in front of the Governor's Mansion in Raleigh and marched to the General Assembly in a protest on Thursday.

Posted 8:01 p.m. Aug 12, 2021 — Updated 8:07 p.m. Aug 12, 2021

Luke Notestine

, WRAL photojournalist

RALEIGH, N.C. — About 100 people gathered in front of the Governor's Mansion in Raleigh and marched to the General Assembly in a protest on Thursday.

The group asked legislators to pass a state budget that places high importance on healthcare, housing and workers' rights.

Participants marched with symbolic coffins that they say represent people who have died for a variety of reasons including lack of access to healthcare, especially during the pandemic. On Wednesday night, the state House approved its $25.7 billion spending proposal by a 72-41 tally.

"The coffins symbolize the millions of people who have died across our state due to Medicaid expansion, and also with the COVID pandemic that we're having," said Deandrea Newsome with People's Budget NC. "Folks are just not having the worker protections to go to work safely."

Several protesters went inside the Legislative Building after the march to voice their concerns.

Once the House finalizes its budget Thursday, their plan will go back to the Senate, and the two chambers will have to work together with Governor Roy Cooper to negotiate a compromise deal, something they haven't managed to make happen since 2017, the last time Republicans held veto-proof majorities in both chambers.

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