Advocacy groups call for NC to consider vulnerable groups in coronavirus response
A coalition of social advocacy organizations on Thursday called for lawmakers to consider vulnerable populations in their response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Among the actions the coalition — dubbed NC United for Survival & Beyond — called for are the expansion of Medicaid, the freedom of people convicted of non-violent crimes and a moratorium on all evictions and foreclosures through the end of the year. Furthermore, the group called for a guaranteed 14 days of paid sick leave and three months of family medical leave for all workers, the extension of unemployment benefits to 26 weeks and for public schools to be used as free food distribution sites.
“As a broad coalition of directly impacted people,constituencies and organizations committed to weathering this storm together, we demand that our elected officials take action,” Kendra Johnson, the executive director of Equality NC, told reporters during a virtual press conference.
Sara Fearington, a member of Fight for $15 who works at a Durham Waffle House, said she has seen her hours cut from a “sustainable” 42 hours to 12 this week. Fearington said her hourly wage is $2.13, with tips making up most of her income.
While the restaurant continues to offer delivery service, Fearington said customers frequently do not tip on delivery service.
“It’s an absolute catastrophe for all workers. … It’s not livable,” Fearington said.
Some evictions will move forward
Organizers also discussed Chief Justice Cherie Beasley’s guidance on Sunday about court operations, specifically the postponement of evictions and foreclosures. While new evictions have been suspended through at least April 15, organizers said ongoing eviction processes are still moving forward.
Loan Tran, the Durham-based co-director of the Southern Vision Alliance, said evictions that were pending before the continuance was issued are still moving forward. Furthermore, Tran added that postponing evictions for “at least” 30 days means residents would likely still be facing them in the coming days.
“Folks will be facing these evictions again unless there is an actual, real moratorium on evictions,” Tran said.
Organizers also called for officials to take steps to protect immigrants. There have been reports, including by CBS News, that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would limit activities during the coronavirus. But activists said detentions are still taking place.
Wednesday, ICE officials surrounded a car in the Cary Town Center parking lot with a man and his daughter locked inside. The agents left after activists and members of the media, including a News & Observer reporter, arrived on the scene.
Ismar Sanchez, a member of Siembra NC, an organization that defends the rights of Latinx people, said, “We are here today because some of us have been living in a crisis way before the coronavirus. We are here today because it’s unacceptable for ICE to continue tearing families apart, but especially now.”
Alerting those in ICE custody about coronavirus cases
The coalition asked the N.C. Department of Public Safety to stop notifying ICE agents of immigrants’ probation appointments and requested that people in ICE custody be guaranteed that anyone who tests positive for the coronavirus will be quarantined.
Several North Carolina lawmakers attended the virtual press conference, including Rep. John Autry, a Charlotte Democrat; Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield, a Wilson Democrat; and Sen. Mike Woodard, a Durham Democrat.
The steps called for by the coalition represent productivity, Johnson said, as the groups are willing to work together with the state government to help people who are frequently under-served. North Carolina has a $3.8 billion unemployment reserve, with North Carolina residents receiving unemployment typically receiving just under $2,300, spread over two months, The News & Observer previously reported.
“This is the time to use that money for vital services, to pass a comprehensive budget and enact a more equitable and fair revenue structure,” Johnson said.
This reporting is financially supported by Report for America/GroundTruth Project and The North Carolina Local News Lab Fund, a component fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation. The News & Observer maintains full editorial control of the work. To support the future of this reporting, subscribe or donate.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 3:09 PM.