North Carolina NAACP President Rev. Dr. William Barber to Speak in Asheville

Reverend Dr. William Barber, President of the NAACP-North Carolina, will speak at Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 12 noon.

The purpose of the visit is to educate those who attended previous marches in Raleigh, and to discuss the “HKonJ—All Roads Lead to Raleigh” event on February 8.

Area residents and activists interested in state legislative policies who want to join the march or learn more about the HKonJ People’s Assembly activities are invited to attend this meeting.

Now in its eighth year, the Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ-Peoples Assembly) movement has, since its inception, served as a rallying call for those without political influence, to bring changes to state policies. Most recently the rallies have been held in response to legislative initiatives such as voter suppression laws, limiting access to health care, education cuts, and issues of tax fairness.

HKonJ rallies are designed to demand that citizens be protected equally under the law and that the state of North Carolina once again offer good, safe jobs and schools for all its residents.

The February 8 march will start on South Street between Wilmington Street and Blount Street at 9:30 a.m. The NAACP state conference will be joined by more than 200 coalition partners for the march along Jones Street to the North Carolina State Legislature.