People “a-walkin’ and a-talkin’ ”

And the words of the prophets were written on the people’s signs, tell me more: “375,00 in North Carolina will lose SNAP.” “Cuts to Medicaid are policy murder.” And on the coffin: “1 in 6 children in N.C. live in poverty.”

“Marching on to freedom land,” they sang. “Forward together, not one step back.” Ten persons from High Country UCC joined the Boone event, rallying about 350 people as part of a broader campaign called A Southern Call to Conscience, taking place during the August congressional recess in 12 Southern states. Moral Mondays are being organized by Repairers of the Breach, with Bishop William Barber at the helm, and in Boone on August 18, a co-sponsorship with Invisible High Country.

“Somebody’s been hurting my people,” said a pastor, “and we won’t be silent anymore,” replied the gathered.

“This isn’t a partisan song. This is about life and death,” said one of the speakers. And clarifying the message, “[We’re] calling on Congress to do the moral thing. Budget lines aren’t just being cut. Life lines are being cut.”

A funeral-like procession, with six women pallbearers, (mindful of the anniversary of women’s right to vote in the U.S., exactly 105 years ago), carried a coffin to the office of Virginia Fox, about one-fourth of a mile from the rally spot. Her door remained shut; the people prayed.