'N.C. Team Democracy' Protest Urges General Assembly to Expand State Medicaid

The North Carolina State Legislature in 2019. Source.

Last week, protestors unfurled banners at an NC General Assembly meeting in support of healthcare expansion and increased use of state funds. The group responsible for the banners, a progressive coalition called Team Democracy, has a history of advocating for liberal ideals in North Carolina.

This protest is not the first effort by Team Democracy to attempt change in the government of North Carolina. 

On January 13th, a caravan of 50 vehicles began to protest at the New Hanover County Government Center. Organized by NC Team Democracy, the protest sought to condemn U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C. and demand for his resignation. According to Team Democracy, the purpose of the protest was to “to spread the message that Rouzer betrayed democracy and dishonored his congressional seat and that he must resign immediately.” A representative for North Carolina’s 7th district (covering a broad portion of Southeastern North Carolina, from the Cape Fear coast to the Raleigh suburbs), Rouzer was re-elected for his 4th term this past November. Team Democracy condemned Rouzer for his role in attacks on the electoral process for the 2020 presidential election and its subsequent insurrection on January 6th. 

Although Rouzer denounced the insurrection, he had cast doubts about the results of the election. He supported objections to the Electoral College votes cast by Arizona and Pennsylvania. However, these objections proved unfruitful. Rouzer has also voted against a Democratic-led resolution to impeach Trump due to Trump’s role in inciting the attack on the U.S. Capitol. 

For these actions, nearly 100 participated in the caravan that took place at Rouzer’s former office in Wilmington. Protestors drove around the parking lot for several minutes honking their horns near his office location. Team Democracy has stated that, if Rouzer refuses resignation, they will call on members of the U.S. House to expel him.

Last week, the North Carolina General Assembly returned to begin its annual work period. Among others, the legislature’s largest task currently is to approve a state government budget that Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is willing to sign before the next fiscal year begins July 1. In an attempt to sway the budget in their favor, Team Democracy took action. Demonstrators unfurled banners from the House gallery above the chamber floor just before the meeting began. These banners contained messages demanding lawmakers to expand Medicaid, protect workers, and spend the state’s “rainy day” fund on relief for the North Carolinian residents affected by the pandemic.