WWW.TRIANGLE TRIBUNE.COM The Triangle Flush North Carolina Democrats hope to reverseBy Alex DerosierGOP and Gary control D. Robertson RIBUNE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS TTHE TRIANGLE’S CHOICE FOR THE BLACK VOICE MEBANE — North Carolina’s energized and financially flush Democratic Party is casting its get-out-the-vote net this year into areas once ceded to rivals as it strives to wrest the legislature from Republicans and end a long- VOLUME 20 NO. 20 WEEK OF NOVEMBER 4, 2018 $1.00 running battle between lawmakers and the executive branch. The party has its work cut out for it: Although North Carolina has come to be seen as a swing state nationally, its state legislature is as deeply Re- publican as anywhere in the South, with veto-proof GOP supermajorities in Neal Middle School both houses — aided by favorable redistricting — and many seats Democ- won its third straight rats never even bothered to contest. For the first time in recent history, Democrats offered candidates for all championship. 170 state seats, echoing a strong push by Democrats across the country to tap into voter dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s presidency and anger over the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The party is trying to flip nearly two dozen U.S. House seats to regain control of the chamber. Republicans are trying to maintain a slim Senate majority and defend several governors’ mansions. After decades of losing ground across most of the South, Democrats are finding unexpected energy in the region during the 2018 midterm elections. Please seeGOP/2A Agenda could Know your rights COURTESY cement Students set up a memorial for shooting victim Bobby inA Criminal Justicetraffic Awareness forum was held at stopsSt. Matthew AME Church in Raleigh. Members of the McKeithen. GOP N.C. State Highway Patrol, Wake County Sheriff’s Office, Raleigh Police Department, Wake County Judicial System and the N.C. Department of Corrections gave information on the do’s and don’ts of vehicle pullovers. placeBy Gary D. Robertson ASSOCIATED PRESS What’s RALEIGH — North Carolina Democrats hope to win enough state legislative seats our story to strip Republicans of their veto-proof majorities and give Gov. Roy Cooper leverage to block the GOP’s right-leaning on school agenda. But that agenda could be imprinted on the state for decades, if voters also ap- violence, prove as many as six Repub- lican-sponsored constitutional referendums. NC?By Mebane Rash One would require photo identification to vote in per- EDUCATIONNC son. Two photo ID laws have MATTHEWS – On the day of been blocked by veto or court the school shooting, I arrived at rulings since Republicans Butler High School in Matthews. took control of the legislature I have dreaded that moment in 2011.Another amendment ever since we launched Educa- would lower the state consti- tionNC. tution’s mandated income tax I drove to the school as soon rate ceiling from 10 percent to as I heard about the shooting 7 percent. because we cannot do this work Two more would directly and only show up on the good weaken the power of Cooper MATHIAS BISHOP days .Our job is to help the peo- and his successors to fill judi- First Sergeant Joe Bright of the N.C. Highway Patrol explains procedures to attendees. ple across North Carolina under- cial vacancies and to pick the stand how a school shooting powerful state elections impacts our students, our board, swinging more control schools, our state and our fu- to the General Assembly. Re- ture. publicans have been stopped When I arrived at the school, by judges three times since the sun was shining down. My early 2017 from altering the tears started as soon as I saw the board’s composition. "safe place" sign. Along with less contentious There were helicopters and measures to expand crime law enforcement. The flag was victims’ rights and create a Forum urges domestic violence at half-mast. right to hunt and fish, refer- A 14-year-old anti-bullying ad- endum outcomes will show vocate named Chloe-Olivia whether North Carolina voters victims not to suffer in silence Gloston found me, and she sang support Republican policies Woman shot by ex-husband discusses the warning signs her song, "It still hurts," a cap- enough to make them part of By Freda Freeman pella in front of the school for the constitution, and difficult CORRESPONDENT us. More tears. to repeal. DURHAM – My boyfriend checks "I don't know what I am going “The timing of this is strate- my cellphone, email and social to do every day when I see his gic. It’s also a chance to shore media without my permission. My seat empty. It's going to be so up their legacy on some boyfriend saw me talking to another sad," said Hope Wilson, a 10th- pitches that they missed,” boy after class and said it made him grader. said Chris Cooper, a political feel jealous. My boyfriend told me "It's just crazy," another stu- science professor at Western about his parents’ problems but dent said. "It is crazy." Carolina University and not said he would never hit me like his "We've cried a lot," three of the related to the governor. “Of dad hit his mom. students said together. these six amendments, at If any of these scenarios describe The students showed me a hat least four of them would be as your relationship, they could be a made to remember their class- big an impact as anything red flag, warning you that you could mate on this day, always. (GOP lawmakers) has done if become a victim of domestic vio- I met Eric Davis, the chair of they were to pass.” lence, Kimya Motley said during a the State Board of Education, The Democratic governor Domestic Violence Forum last week and he said, "We are more deter- and his allies are fighting all at Holy Cross Catholic Church. mined than ever to make our six amendments, rather than Growing up, Motley, a victim of schools safe for every one of our attempting to separate the long-term domestic abuse, saw the students." More tears. provisions on fishing, hunting signs but often ignored them. Now, One of our students, 16-year- and crime victims that even she cautions others not to. old Bobby McKeithen, died. At Democratic legislators over- Motley said she is blessed to be the vigil, the students behind whelmingly agreed to submit alive. In 2011, her ex-husband am- me were incredulous. "He died to voters. “It’s much more bushed her at a Georgia day care over a high school fight," they complicated to go into each center, and shot her in the face, said. individual amendment with neck, back and head, before shoot- A student introduced as people,” the governor told re- ing her 10-year-old daughter in the Bobby's girlfriend said she had porters in September while head. Miraculously, they both sur- known him since sixth grade. explaining his decision to op- vived. "Can we just tell him we love pose all six. Two years after the tragedy, Mot- him so he knows?" she asked. In Opponents say they’re ley founded Haven of Light Interna- unison, those gathered for the spending well over $2 million tional, Inc., a nonprofit organization vigil said, "We love you, Bobby." More tears. on the campaign known on designed to help families rebuild FREDA FREEMAN social media as “Nix All Six” spiritually, physically, emotionally Balloons were released. There against the questions, with and financially after abuse. In addi- Kimya Motley is thankful she's alive after being shot by her ex-hus- were candles. Everyone was television ads, town hall tion to helping families through band. She now speaks out against domestic violence. locked arm-in-arm. Students meetings and get-out-the-vote Haven of Light, Motley speaks out cried. People prayed. The pastor efforts. They describe the against domestic violence, teen dat- tims’ rights and healing. form families and friends how they at the vigil said: "We will tell a amendments as unnecessary, ing violence and sex trafficking. The “Shining a Light on Domestic can support victims of domestic story as a school, as a commu- confusing or power grabs by Motley received a commendation Violence” Forum was sponsored by abuse: physical, verbal and emo- nity, as a city that will inspire Republican lawmakers to ex- from Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal in the Durham Chapter of The Links, tional. people to believe in greater." tend years of oppressive poli- March 2016 for her work as a lead- Inc. and the Durham Crisis Re- Counselors were also available. What is our story, North Car- cies. ing domestic violence advocate. The sponse Center. There were break- Motley used signs that said Stop, Go olina? What is our story on the “Some of them may sound Investigation Discovery Channel out sessions to talk with young or Slow during her presentation to issue of gun violence in our good at first, but when you named her an Everyday Hero in women about relationship prob- help participants identify the warn- schools, on the safety of our stu- Please seeCEMENT/2A Nov. 2016 for her dedication to vic- lems they may be having and to in- Please seeFORUM/2A Please seeVIOLENCE/2A Index Follow The To subscribe: 919-688-9408 or Tribune on News 1A Religion 5A Email: [email protected] Classifieds 4A Sports 6A Focus 8A © 2018 The Triangle Tribune 2A NEWS/The Triangle Tribune Sunday, November 4, 2018 What’s our story on school violence,Continued from page 1A NC? dents? What is our greater? I hope this day prompts change.