As state lawmakers kicked off the 2024 legislative session Wednesday, special interest groups on both sides of the aisle held press conferences and protests at the General Assembly to pressure political leaders to take up their causes.
Two groups with little else in common swarmed around the office of Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, to deliver letters and loud speeches: Grassroots NC, a conservative pro-gun group, was pushing for the end of North Carolina’s concealed carry rules. The Poor People’s Campaign, a progressive anti-poverty group, was pushing for state leaders to boost spending on child care, health care and more.
Outside the legislature, activists from groups including the Election Integrity Network called on GOP leaders to further tighten voting rules ahead of the general elections in November. And on Thursday, the gun safety group Moms Demand Action will hold a press conference with Democratic lawmakers calling for new legislation to curb gun violence.
All of those groups, on both the left and the right, face an uphill battle. Many of their ideas were brought up in last year’s legislative session, only to be rejected.
But they’re hoping for more attention this year, especially with an election looming. In November every seat in the state legislature will be on the ballot, in addition to the races for president, governor and other key offices. Liberal activists want to show voters what could be done if Democrats gain more power in state government, and…
