My first day of my Work Experience was a whirlwind. I embarked upon my journey at 8:55 a.m., when I shifted my car gears into drive and began blasting Kendrick (side-note: his concert was amazing) through my mediocre sound system. I arrived at the general assembly building with a couple of minutes to spare: I had allotted myself enough time to wade through the security line and head to the lobby, where I met Sarah Gillooly, the ACLU’s Director of Political Strategy and Advocacy. She was in quite a hurry–the state’s budget bill had been released the previous night and she was working on the release of a memo explaining its specifics. Unfortunately, I learned, the budget bill had been forced through the democratic processes using a loophole which allowed the combination of two separate bills in order to avoid discussion and expedite its passage.
Sarah led me to the appropriations committee room, and we listened to the testimony of the bill for a little under two hours. The sponsors of the bill discussed its different facets, including teacher pay, school safety, correctional facilities, and disaster relief. To be honest, most of the discussion was dry and the numbers went over my head. Nonetheless, I garnered a specific criticism about the bill: it allotted funds to SROs and teachers with arrest privileges as well as security equipment, but the word “gun” was not mentioned once. As someone who is quite passionate about gun reform, this was angering but not at all surprising. At least the arming of teachers had been scrapped.
We left the committee meeting at about 11:30 to eat lunch at the General Assembly Cafeteria (throwback my elementary school mother-daughter dates!). There, I met with another staff member of the ACLU, Susanna, and a younger intern. We discussed the following agenda, including the perinatal summit advocating for the rights of incarcerated women that I will be attending in Durham on Thursday. I learned that North Carolina has been harshly criticized for its allowance of shackling–chaining pregnant convicts to beds during labor–and that it is currently in the process of amending its policy (although I’d rather call the “policy” of shackling inhuman).
Following lunch, I followed Sarah around various offices in the General Assembly as she met with different legislators and legislative assistants.
My day pretty much ended at 1:30, because I had been invited to speak at a rally on Bicentennial Mall for the Poor People’s Campaign for demilitarization, gun reform, social justice, and equity. But speaking was an amazing experience, so I might as well talk about it here anyway.
At around 2 pm, I approached the makeshift stage on Bicentennial Mall. I said hello to my colleague Ava Autry (we’re basically professionals) and proceeded to climb the steps of the platform. I was slotted to speak after Reverend William Barber (a tough act to follow). I stood onstage as he presented his speech– wonderful, passionate, and enthralling—and then it was my turn to talk. I highlighted the absence of the word “gun” in the budget bill (applied learning!) and elaborated on studies detailing the importance of gun reform. Afterward, Reverend Barber expressed his pride in my speaking abilities and invited me to march with him back toward the general assembly building.
I took him up on the offer and we walked side-by-side. The experience still seems surreal–I mean, the great Reverend William Barber and the student, Lily Levin, marching next to each other? Who would have thought! Anyways, we marched into a building next to the general assembly building, where the budget bill appropriations committee was STILL being held. I realized that it was about 3:20, and I needed to leave to embark on my next adventure–swim practice–so I bid the other protesters goodbye, gave Reverend Barber a fist-bump, and left the premises. After I left, I learned that 12 protesters were arrested for purposeful trespassing. I wouldn’t trespass, but I’m glad I wasn’t arrested! That wouldn’t be in the Charger spirit.
All in all, what a day. Definitely not what I was expecting, but that’s life! Unexpected. I’m glad I had this adventure.