As North Carolinians and advocates push back against big polluters, judicial experts and state leaders have raised concerns about the conservative-leaning high court.
North Carolina’s portion comes from the $17.1 billion Meta has agreed to pay across 47 states in the second-largest state consumer protection settlement in history. The suit, initially brought in 2023, alleged Meta specifically designed Instagram and Facebook to hook children on their apps.
Holding large banners that read “Sarah Stevens Protects Predators” and “Protect Kids Not Predators,” the demonstrators sought to bring public attention to Newby, Stevens, and others’ record of using West’s support to boost their campaigns.
The court case that North Carolina educators had long been hopeful would prod a reluctant General Assembly to produce a better public education system was dismissed this year by North Carolina’s top court. Those who care about North Carolina’s public schools need a new rallying cry.
Stein’s veto came following an outpouring of veto requests from pro-democracy and good government advocates. In an op-ed, State Senator Woodson Bradley noted that Newby has been called “possibly the most ethically compromised chief justice in the country.”
Gov. Stein’s veto of the measure was essential for protecting our justice system; however, many concerns remain surrounding state Republicans’ power grab attempt.
HB 958 was originally introduced in the House by Representative Sarah Stevens, now the Republican nominee for the North Carolina Supreme Court. Stevens has long been known in Raleigh as a champion for restricting the right to vote.
On Stevens’ last day in office, dozens of protestors gathered in front of the legislature with a giant farewell card for her, titled “Good Riddance.”
With his final term ending in 2028, Newby apparently no longer feels the need to appear impartial. Again and again, he puts his own interests and those of corporations over workers and consumers. North Carolina is poorer for it.
Like many North Carolinians, I am tired of being treated as a revenue stream for a monopoly utility while working families struggle to keep the lights on.