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WNC Teachers Rally In Satellite Marches

Among the thousands of teachers who filled the streets of North Carolina's capital Wednesday, were hundreds of educators from Western North Carolina.  Many who were unable to make the trip to Raleigh attended satellite rallies, including one in Asheville. 

“Thank you so much for coming today”

Around 10 o’clock Wednesday morning, teachers and supporters who couldn’t make the rally in Raleigh, gathered at THE BLOCK off biltmore in  downtown Asheville to make posters and phone calls to lawmakers

“This one in Asheville for folks who maybe didn’t have the time to drive to Raleigh, or the money to drive to Raleigh.” 

That’s Nicole Killeen, a counselor at Erwin High School and one of the organizers of the satellite rally.

HC: What do you hope this rally will accomplish?

“Just to let folks know even across the entire state we care about our public schools” says Killeen.  

Nearby, Steven Davis, a teacher at Isaac Dickson Elementary School was finishing up a poster.

“I’m here just to support our friends in Raleigh and Charlotte, just to stand in solidarity with them.” 

“crowd chanting”

Posters in hand, the group took their campaign to the streets with a march to Pack Square.  In downtown Asheville, I’m Helen Chickering, BPR News.

Educators in nearby Henderson County also held a satellite rally.

tr_whitney_royal.mp3
BPR’s Helen Chickering caught up with Whitney Royal, a first year teacher at Erwin Middle School.

tr_tate.mp3
Hear from Tate MacQueen, a teacher at Erwin High School.
tr_david_and_tasha.mp3
Hear from Steven Davis, a teacher at Isaac Dickson Elementary School and Tasha Lewis, a former elementary teacher who now works in a head start program.

Helen Chickering is a host and reporter on Blue Ridge Public Radio. She joined the station in November 2014.