AFGE President Arrested While Protesting Extremist Policies in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C., June 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. was arrested here Monday while protesting extremist policies passed by the North Carolina state legislature that have targeted the state's poorest and most vulnerable citizens.

More than 800 activists converged at the N.C. State Capitol Monday afternoon as part of the ongoing series of demonstrations known as Moral Monday. President Cox was among roughly 20 labor organizers, teachers and other protesters who were arrested after refusing to leave the building shortly after the State Senate went into session.

A native of North Carolina, Cox participated in the Monday protest to show solidarity for the plight of working men and women in the state who have been harmed by laws recently enacted by the legislature.

"Many of these lawmakers have lost touch with the average citizen. Their laws are denying benefits to unemployed workers, denying health care coverage to low-income workers, and pushing out experienced teachers by suppressing their wages," Cox said. "These policies are wrong for North Carolina and they are wrong for America."

Inside the Capitol rotunda, Cox locked arms with fellow protesters and chanted the familiar call and response, "Tell me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like." The protesters were arrested after supposedly getting complaints about the noise.

"North Carolina is my home state, and I will not stand idly by while it is brought to ruin. I was not ashamed to be arrested – civil disobedience in the defense of justice is no disobedience at all," Cox said.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 670,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.

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Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTf6oeDc6w8&feature=youtu.be
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131120/MM21150LOGO

SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees

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