North Carolina
Voting rights advocates reflect on MLK's unfinished work
NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) — Voting rights advocates reflected on the legacy that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr left behind when it comes to voting.
MLK Jr. Day 2024 celebrations are happening amid ongoing voter litigation in North Carolina in response to the state’s recently redrawn congressional maps.
The plaintiffs in those federal lawsuits — which are still making their way through the courts — contend that North Carolina’s new maps are an example of the modern methods utilized to suppress voters. The maps’ backers say redistricting on partisan lines is legal and no racial data was used in the new maps.
The outcome of those suits notwithstanding — voting rights advocates used the Monday holiday as an opportunity to promote what they called Martin Luther King’s unfinished work.
“It’s the same problem, and we need to eradicate it,” said Deborah Maxwell, president of the North Carolina NAACP, one of the plaintiffs in a federal voting lawsuit.
Maxwell spent part of MLK Jr. Day addressing community members and advocates in Chapel Hill, 30 days before early voting begins for North Carolina’s March primaries.
“We need stronger protections within North Carolina immediately,” Maxwell said. “We’re not going to get that. But that is why we’ve filed suit through Southern Coalition for Social Justice.”
In Durham, Law professor Irving Joyner says the fight for voting rights that continues today echoes MLK’s efforts on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965.
“Back in the 60’s, the focus was on being to vote, period,” Joyner said. “Today, there is a recognition of the right to vote but there is a strong effort to curtail the impact and importance of that exercise amongst African Americans.”
Joyner says nationwide — that manifests itself today through restrictive voter requirements and gerrymandered maps, and that pushing back against those measures proves Dr. King’s message.
“As we move to confront the efforts to minimize the vote, the relevance becomes apparent,” Joyner said.
A movement advocates say is not only still relevant — but still being fought for, nearly 60 years after MLK’s death.
“He would’ve been 95 today. He would’ve been sad to see some of the things that have occurred not only in this state but around the country. But we will continue to pursue his dream,” said Maxwell.
WATCH | Video from 1966 found of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking at NC State
A 19-second clip of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech inside Reynolds Coliseum in 1966 was recently found in a Raleigh homeowner’s basement.
Voter Suppression
Britannica defines voter suppression as a legal or extralegal measure or strategy whose purpose or practical effect is to reduce voting, or registering to vote, by members of a targeted racial group, political party, or religious community.
What is Gerrymandering?
Gerrymandering is defined as a process where the boundaries of legislative districts are redrawn to favor the political interests of one party. Boundaries are redrawn to include as many of one party’s voters as possible, and to help that party have the best chance possible to win as many seats of power.
What are the election laws in my state?
Federal laws for states are all the same, especially. However, individual states may have different laws.
Here’s a link to election laws in all 50 states
What is Voter Intimidation?
According to the ACLU, Voter intimidation is attempting to interfere with your or anyone’s right to vote, it may be voter intimidation and a violation of federal law. Examples of intimidation may include: aggressively questioning voters about their citizenship, criminal record, or other qualifications to vote, in a manner intended to interfere with the voters’ rights falsely presenting oneself as an election official spreading false information about voter requirements, such as an ability to speak English, or the need to present certain types of photo identification (in states with no such requirement) displaying false or misleading signs about voter fraud and the related criminal pen.
Here’s how to report voter intimidation: Call the Election Protection Hotline: 1-866-687-8683 or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
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The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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