Activists demanding child care funding arrested at legislative building • NC Newsline

Eight activists demanding that lawmakers allocate $300 million in emergency child care funding were arrested Wednesday inside the state legislative building after police at the North Carolina General Assembly warned them to stop singing and chanting. Police informed protesters that they had received a noise complaint. The activists received three warnings before police arrested them, tied their hands with zip ties and took them away. The protesters were charged with second-degree trespassing and a related charge. “We asked them three times to tone it down or they could be arrested,” said North Carolina General Assembly Police Chief Martin Brock. “After the third warning, those who continued to sing, we warned them one last time.” Brock told reporters he didn't know who filed the noise complaint. Representative Donny Lambeth Later, the House of Representatives unanimously approved an amendment to Senate Bill 357 authorizing $67 million in emergency funding to continue stabilization payments until lawmakers can exit their budget impasse. “Essentially, this amendment reallocates funds from the state Fiscal Recovery Fund and helps us get through the first quarter,” said Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth. “We've all heard about the child care problem. July 1 is an important date because funding stops and this amendment allows funds to be allocated at least until the first quarter. Lambeth said lawmakers are expected to return to Raleigh before those funds are exhausted to pass a budget. The bill was sent to the Senate. Two weeks ago, a coalition of child care operators, faith leaders, parents and others asked state lawmakers to provide a $300 million emergency appropriation to help maintain daycares open and teachers in classrooms. The Republican-led House and Senate have proposed allocating about $135 million to child care subsidies that will no longer be provided by the federal government starting next month. Advocates said $135 million isn't enough to keep centers open and teachers in classrooms long term. They reminded lawmakers of their position during a rally outside the legislative building. Emma Biggs, a Charlotte daycare worker, said $300 million is needed just to maintain the state's child care system. Emma Biggs is detained during a rally inside the legislative building. (Photo: Greg Childress) Biggs, who was among eight protesters arrested, said lawmakers refused to meet with advocates to discuss the child care crisis. “They continue to ignore us and offer what they think is going to support child care in this state — less than half of the minimum care we need to stay open,” Biggs said. The Rev. Rob Stephens, coordinator of the North Carolina Breach Repairers Organizing Committee, said some centers will be forced to close in four days with adequate funding. “It’s not just a guess, it’s not a fantasy, it’s already happening,” said Stephens, who was also arrested. The Rev. Wayne Wilhelm, tri-chairman of the North Carolina Poor People's Campaign, said lawmakers have a "selective life stance." "It's a shame that we have to keep coming here and demanding and proclaiming to the people behind us [lawmakers in the legislative building] who claim that life is so precious, that life is so important, that we [have to] let’s demand that they fund early childhood education,” Wilhelm said. Newsline previously reported that the state would soon spend the last of $1.3 billion in federal grants that have helped child care providers weather the pandemic. Some of the money was used to increase workers' wages. NC Newsline reported in April that a survey by the North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral Council found that 88% of child care providers will have to increase parents' fees when federal money runs out. Forty percent said they should immediately raise tuition fees for parents. About half said they would lose administrative and teaching staff and about two-thirds said they would have difficulty hiring new employees with comparable experience and training. Nearly a third of programs surveyed said they would have to close within a year. This equates to more than 1,500 programs and nearly 92,000 places in nursery and preschool education.