100 rally for lesbian rights in NC

By Lizzie Stewart

Sept. 30— Marching for the empowerment and equality of women, about 100 people demonstrated Sunday in the first official North Carolina Dyke March. The event started at 1pm in McCorkle Place with an opening ceremony led by Carrboro resident Amy Lanou, a member of the march’s organizing committee. “The purpose of the march was to broaden the community, increase visibility, and empower ourselves to make a difference,” Lanou said after the event. “For the first march in North Carolina, this is a tremendous turnout.” Senior Grace Holland said organizers hoped to bring visibility and coalition building to the lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer community.

“We want empowerment and justice for women,” she said. After the opening ceremonies, the group marched up and down Franklin Street before ending up back on campus.

Organizers started planning the march about six months ago and held it this weekend to coincide with the North Carolina Pride events that are taking place in Durham, Lanou said.

She said many people from around the state were there to support Sunday’s gathering for that reason.

“The turnout proves that when women put their heads together they can accomplish anything,” Lanou said.

Before the march, participants adorned the Silent Sam statue in McCorkle Place with a rainbow flag and a sign stating, “Live Free or Die.” The event featured speakers, poets, and volunteers from several organizations, including the Lesbian Resource Center in Durham, whose mission is to promote the well-being of area lesbians and women. Beth Bruch, a volunteer at the LRC, said the group defines health as more than just physical — it extends to spiritual, social and emotional. Tiffany Taylor, an LRC board member, said that the march was funded by donations from local businesses and that the entertainers worked free of charge.

She said she was impressed with the turnout of Sunday’s event. “The diversity is amazing,” Taylor said. “There were people of all races and ages in attendance, including men as well.” Trevor Hoppe, sophomore and co-chair of UNC’s Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Queer and Straight Alliance, also complimented the enthusiasm of the march participants.

“I thought it was extremely successful,” he said. “Everyone in the march was psyched, and the public reaction was great.”

Source: Daily Tar Heel

Asheville residents oppose war

By Shawn Gaynor

Asheville, North Carolina, Oct. 1 (AGR)—As Congress and the Senate moved closer to approving President Bush’s assault on Iraq, local anti-war protesters gathered at the federal building in downtown Asheville, to register their opposition to military action in Iraq. Activists visited the office of North Carolina Senator Edwards, to express their concerns.

“I’m frustrated. I feel like the debate is headed to a forgone conclusion,” said Bill Evans, who said he was not at the protest with any group. “A lot of people would like the Democrats to be for peace.”

For several hours Tuesday protesters held banners and talked with passing pedestrians. Some sang songs for peace, and several “radical cheerleaders” chanted pep rally style anti-war slogans, to express their opposition to military action in Iraq.

“I think a majority of people in the country do not want war with Iraq,” stated Lola LaFey, who said many of the passers-by had been supportive of the protesters’ message.

“I don’t think Iraq posses a threat to us,” said Atlanta, a student at Warren Wilson College.

The Asheville Police department had sent out an officer to monitor the protest, but when some protesters unfurled a banners that said “f_ck oil war,” several more police arrived, moving in to confiscate the banner.

Officer Weaver, of the Asheville Police Department, said officers were responding to a complaint by a local merchant, and the banner had been confiscated under state obscenity law. Someone in the crowd quipped “Which word is obscene?,” drawing attention to the fact that some are more offended by foul language then the horrors of war.

Protesters said another anti-war demonstration will be held on Sunday, at 1 pm at Pack Square. The demonstration will be part of a national day of action for peace.