Democracy in Action +Addendum

Amendment 1

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Halifax Mall is a large grass lawn that stretches for 2 blocks from the General Assembly Building to the Archdale Building. Actually, it’s the roof of an underground parking deck.

It’s named Halifax Mall to commemorate the Halifax Resolves; the first official action by a colony calling for independence from Great Britain. The vote by the 83 delegates was unanimous.

My building is on one side of the Mall (parking deck). The white building across the lawn (parking deck) is the Legislative Office Building – where State Representatives and Senators have their offices.

When the General Assembly is “In Session” – Halifax Mall is a popular place for groups and organizations to gather and rally. The Mall has electricity and water hook ups – and multiple easy access points for delivery vehicles and pedestrians.

Groups bring in porta potties, stages, speaker systems, sometimes huge tents and mobile catering kitchens, exhibits – you name it.

Halifax Mall is where the traveling Vietnam Memorial was set up last year.

I like it when high dollar lobbying / special interest organizations use Halifax Mall. They usually bring food (to entice the lawmakers to attend). And of course, I feel it’s my duty to help them not let any food go to waste.

On weekends when the General Assembly is home for the weekend or not in session and the office buildings are empty - Halifax Mall then becomes a magnet for people with Frisbee dogs. Since it’s a nice big grass area with no obstructions – it’s a great place to throw the Frisbee for Fido to catch.

I took these photos around noon today. This was one of the larger groups I’ve seen on the Mall in a while. The slight refection glare is from the office window.

Set up started very early – around 0730. About 1130 – as Jed Clampett would say – they commenced to speechifying.

Unfortunately, these people didn’t bring any food.

Addendum


This photo was in Wednesday's News & Observer in a story about the same rally. The building shown is my office building. Our offices are on the left half of the 4th floor from which I took my photos.

BTW

The colors, writing and stuff you see on the large 3 story panel on the side of the building is "art" that was etched into the granite walls.

This "art" was commissioned under a State Statute (Law) requiring that 0.5% of building construction budgets be spent on "public art".

Our elected State Representatives and State Senators get to enjoy this particular example of "public art" every time they come out of their office building located across the green lawn (where this photo was taken).

Shortly after my building, with it's wall size "public art", was completed - that particular State Statute was repealed.