RALEIGH, N.C. — The “Organizing for America” bus is making a final stop in Raleigh today before heading back to Washington, D.C.

The bus tour is part of President Barack Obama’s 50-state push for health care reform before Congress heads back to Washington. Members of the community and grassroots groups will join speakers like Congressman David Price and Organizing for America Deputy Director Jeremy Bird.

Those against the president’s plan will also be at the event. NBC 17 spoke with Randy Dye who is a member of Triangle Conservatives Unite. He said his group, other conservatives and independents will be there to welcome the bus into town.

The “Let’s Get It Done: Raleigh National Bus Tour Stop” begins at 5:45 p.m. at the Progress Energy Performing Arts Center Plaza in downtown Raleigh. Doors open at 5 o’clock and the event is scheduled to run until 7:00 p.m.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina NAACP and other groups will have a “Health Care Can’t Wait” rally at the Capitol Building Saturday.

The rally will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday. Groups organizing include the NC State Conference of the NAACP, NC Fair Share, NC Health Care for America Now and HK on J Coalition Partners.

The theme of the rally is “Help the President to keep his promise and to remind congress people of their responsibility to assure that all, not some Americans have health care.”

NAACP President Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, says “Health care reform has been a major issue of the NAACP for years.  We have always known the current health care system discriminates its coverage and applicants based on class and race.  It is unconscionable when the wealthiest nation in the world has 40-50 million people without health care insurance and nearly a hundred million are underinsured.  This is a moral issue.  Many times we claim to be a Judean Christian nation.  Jesus believed in nonprofit healing and health care for all.  Health care is the moral and civil rights issue of our times and it is time for people to speak up and stand up against the forces of division, selfishness, and greed.”

The rally will begin with testimonies from everyday people and then a keynote called to action.

One of the organizers, Lynice Williams of NC Fair Share remarks “People who believe in justice and equality and who have concern for all people cannot stand in the wings.  We must take our place center stage and tell the truth over and against the distortions that are being told in attempts to derail health care reform. Public option is a must; insuring all people is a must.  There is no such thing as a death panel in the current legislation.  The only death panel is when we leave people uninsured.”

Amina Turner, executive director for the State NAACP adds, “On the eve of the passing of one of America’s well-known health care proponents, [the late Senator Edward] Ted Kennedy, it is fitting for us to gather to remind our representatives of their obligation to all of us.  To maintain the status quo is to increase the risk for further escalation of health costs, and to continue a dual system of haves and have-nots in health care delivery and access.  It is imperative that we reform health care for all now.”

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

For more information, call the State Office at 866-626-2227 or e-mail at execdirnaacpnc@gmail.com.

RALEIGH, N.C.—Community Support Services Providers and Recipients will hold a rally on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Legislative Building Halifax Mall. The rally is being held to bring attention to the state’s proposed mental health budget cuts.

“We are banding together to exercise our civic responsibility to oppose the proposed dismantling of Community-Based Mental Health Care in North Carolina,” says Bobbie Ghaffar who heads the Native Angels Homecare Agency in Pembroke, the 2007 National Small Business of the Year.

The General Assembly has proposed cutting community-based services by more than $59 million for FY 2009-10 and more than $115 million for FY 2010-11.

Supporters, those receiving services and mental health advocates are asked to join the agency to let the legislature know that continued state support for these services is vital.

“If you receive these services or know of someone who does, or if you are a mental health advocate please join us as we band together to preserve these much needed services in our communities,” says Ghaffar.  “North Carolina has long been known for its compassionate care for those with mental illness. Eliminating community based programs puts those individuals receiving these services and their families at  much greater risk.”

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Bev Perdue will address a rally of educators, teachers and other concerned citizens about her education priorities as state budget negotiations proceed in the General Assembly on Wednesday.

The Raleigh event will kick off a statewide series of rallies scheduled for the coming week in Greensboro, Charlotte, Asheville and Greenville. More locations may be added in the coming days.

The first rally will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday on the Old Capitol Building steps.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Death penalty opponents plan to stage a demonstration outside North Carolina’s General Assembly.

The rally on Thursday outside the Legislative building calls on lawmakers to drop a bid to restart executions.

Legislation that passed the state Senate last week would allow an accused killer facing execution to challenge his conviction or death sentence if he can show that race played an inappropriate role. An amendment attached to the bill would allow executions to restart after a two-year halt.

North Carolina courts are sorting out legal questions surrounding executions, but a major barrier was removed this month when the state Supreme Court ruled the Medical Board couldn’t punish doctors who participate in executions.

By Chris Cowperthwaite
NBC17

Several thousand people turned out Tuesday for a marriage rally at Halifax Mall, despite temperatures hovering around the mid-20’s.The group is supporting a bill that would put a proposed amendment defining marriage as one woman and one man on the November ballot.

Church groups from all over the state converged on Raleigh, saying North Carolina is a “target” for gay rights supporters, since it is the only state in the southeast that has not passed a similar constitutional amendment.

This same bill has been introduced six times previously, but so far has not made it out of committee.

A small group of gay rights activists stood a short distance away from the rally; Capitol Police would not let them on to Halifax Mall.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Supporters of a ban on gay marriage in North Carolina will lobby the Legislature for the second time in a week.

A Christian conservative group called Return America has scheduled a “Stand Up for Traditional Marriage” rally on Tuesday in downtown Raleigh. A similar outdoor event attracted thousands in 2007.

North Carolina law defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. But social conservatives want specific language added to the state constitution, arguing that a voter-approved amendment banning gay marriage would push back court challenges. Thirty states have such bans.

Gay rights supporters argue the state shouldn’t write discrimination into the constitution.

Religious leaders and lawmakers held a news conference last week promoting the amendment.

Both supporters and opponents of Durham’s prepared meals tax know there are just four more days to convince people about whether it’s good for county residents or not.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Back in the surprise swing state of North Carolina, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said Wednesday his campaign is “six days away from changing America.”

The Illinois senator told thousands of supporters in downtown Raleigh that the campaign will soon turn the page on Republican policies, such as those held by rival candidate John McCain. He urged people to vote early and he said there was no time to rest in North Carolina given the close election.

“In six days you can give this country the change it needs,” he said.

A new Associated Press-GfK poll released Wednesday shows Obama and McCain about even in North Carolina with a week before Election Day.

Obama’s rally at Halifax Mall drew an estimated 25,000 supporters who crowded into the grassy gathering spot in the middle of North Carolina’s government complex.

Both candidates are pressing hard to win the state’s 15 electoral votes. Obama’s visit was his seventh to the state. His wife Michelle is campaigning in Rocky Mount and Fayetteville, where McCain held a rally Tuesday.

North Carolina hasn’t voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1976. But changing demographics, a swath of new voters and a large bloc of blacks have helped push Obama to the brink of victory here.

Limous Brown, 78, said he came to the event early because he wanted to see the first black president of the United States. He said that in 1936, his grandfather told him there will one day be a black president, but he laughed at the idea.

“I’ve been waiting 78 years for this,” said Brown, a retired grocer. “I can’t hardly take it.”