Rev. Barber addressing the crowd in front of the Capital Building; Photo by Alex Curley

RALEIGH – Moral Monday returns this week to Raleigh for the 16th installment of the peaceful events, but it won’t be in the form of a mass gathering this time.

The N.C. NAACP and the labor community are set to hold a news conference on Labor Day for workers’ rights.

Activists say they are upset over legislation passed by the General Assembly which they believe hurts workers.

Speakers at the event include Reverend William Barber, NAACP State Chapter President and leader of the Forward Together Movement; MaryBe McMillan of the AFL-CIO; and Baldimar Velasquez of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee.

The news conference will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the N.C. AFL-CIO headquarters at 1408 Hillsborough St.

“On Labor Day the Forward Together Movement will join the labor community to stand united against anti-worker legislation passed by the extreme and immoral North Carolina General Assembly,” said Barber said in a statement. “We believe that all workers deserve a living wage, benefits, a safe workplace, and a voice on the job, especially today when working people are struggling more than ever.”

Barber will also announce plans at the news conference for potential protests to take place this week as the General Assembly prepares to reconvene Tuesday for a special veto session.