Monday night, 15 Moral Monday protesters sat in front of Senate Leader Phil Berger’s door. Berger wasn't in his office, so the protesters sat there until the Senate session ended. Soon, State Capitol Police began to usher everyone out. They said that the building was closing, everyone had to leave. Reporter Dave DeWitt was with the protesters. He wrote about what happened next this way:
The protesters began to get ready to get arrested. But here’s where script took an unexpected turn. Just a few seconds later, Senator Berger came around the corner, pulled some couches into a circle, and offered to have a discussion. And that’s exactly what they did. For more than an hour and a half, Berger and the protesters discussed education policy and the challenges facing teachers. >> Listen to Dave's full story.
Dave DeWitt sat in on that session with his colleague Reema Khrais. The two live-tweeted the impromptu meeting. We'll start with Reema's tweets earlier in the day:
At #moralmonday press conference - today's focus is on public education #nced #ncga pic.twitter.com/EAGiJw1OZZ
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 9, 2014
Teachers from #moralmonday say they're here to "school #ncga" and that legislators are currently receiving an "F" #nol #nced
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 9, 2014
Teachers from #moralmonday say they're here to "school #ncga" and that legislators are currently receiving an "F" #nol #nced
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 9, 2014
#MoralMonday rally outside legislative building. Protesters say policies hurting public schls #nol #nced pic.twitter.com/GLWZxvtqFi
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 9, 2014
Overseen at #moralmonday protests #ncga #nol #nced pic.twitter.com/GYm1pqos56
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 9, 2014
#ncga officers tell #moralmonday protesters to leave, building closed. But protesters waiting for @SenatorBerger pic.twitter.com/iC3Uaxzhrd
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 9, 2014
15 Moral Monday teacher/protestors in front of Sen Phil Berger's office just before they will be arrested pic.twitter.com/RQOlQ9gPYW
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 9, 2014
Check that. Sen Berger may agree to meet with protestors. If they agree to leave after. #nol #MoralMonday
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 9, 2014
And @SenatorBerger actually showed up. Teachers/protesters say he's "just tardy." #ncga #nced #moralmonday #nol pic.twitter.com/h19uerKbTD
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 10, 2014
Sen Phil Berger meeting with protestors right now. #nol #MoralMonday pic.twitter.com/fcypsMJZ2s
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Respectful discussion occurring between protestors and Sen Berger.
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Teacher interrupts and says that schools seeing less resources @SenatorBerger says where would we get money? #ncga #moralmonday #nol
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 10, 2014
Discussing Read to Achieve and $. "Real issue is where $ will come from." Teachers say they have that problem solved...#MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Whatever your political view this is a remarkable discussion. #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Now talking about Read to Achieve program @SenatorBerger says problems w rollout not legislation...but good law #nol #nced #MoralMonday
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 10, 2014
Only people left in building: Sen Berger, few staffers, 20 media, 15 protestors, police, and soothing fountains #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Teachers explaining challenging conditions. Sen Berger patiently listening and giving long answers. #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Discussion becoming slightly less polite. But still respectful. Have pulled couches into circle. Media hovering. #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Teachers say they need smaller class sizes, could do so much more w more teacher time #ncga #nol #MoralMonday #nced
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 10, 2014
If you dont have teacher assistants, your local school board, their responsibility says @SenatorBerger #MoralMonday #ncga #nol
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 10, 2014
Teachers say why do local school boards have to make those decisions whether to fund TAs #MoralMonday #ncga #nol #nced
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 10, 2014
.@SenatorBerger defending Sen budget proposal. Says 7400 TAs won't be cut - local schools will move $ to keep many. #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
That explanation has led to spirited response of underfunded ed budget. #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Talk w @SenatorBerger getting heated. He says ed budget is not getting smaller, teachers say there's a pay freeze #MoralMonday #nol #ncga
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 10, 2014
Lots of talking over each other now. @SenatorBerger saying voters don't want tax increase. Heated exchange. #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Anger coming through now. Protestors raising voices at @SenatorBerger who cites "family breakdown in NC" #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Protestors thank @SenatorBerger for meeting. Want to present case more. Sen Apodaca says they have dinner date at 8:45 #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
.@SenatorBerger "sometimes we have differences but I wanted to listen to your voices here" #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
.@SenatorBerger comes back with unsponsored amendment to bill after break. Reading it aloud now. From Rev Barber letter. #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Protestors ask for restoring TAs, salary increases, public mtg on what schools need. #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Teachers have 3 asks: 1. All funding for TA be restored 2. Raises not be tied w giving up job protections 3. Public dialogue #ncga #nol
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 10, 2014
.@SenatorBerger advises protestors to take concerns to their elected officials. #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
.@SenatorBerger agrees to get back to protestors tomorrow about further meetings. #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Teachers want a public dialogue wk 23-37, @SenatorBerger says he'll get back to them tomorrow. Teachers clap #nol #ncga #MoralMonday
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 10, 2014
.@SenatorBerger "no tax increase. Tell me where $ will come from." #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Teachers now asking that trading tenure for salary increase isn't fair. @SenatorBerger does not commit. #MoralMonday #nol
— Dave DeWitt (@DaveDeWitt) June 10, 2014
Teachers now tell @SenatorBerger "don't take job protections away, don't tie it to raises" #nol #nced #ncga #MoralMonday
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 10, 2014
And meeting adjourned. Teachers say @SenatorBerger need to follow up & schedule public dialogue, he says he'll get back #MoralMonday #ncga
— Reema Khrais (@reemakhrais) June 10, 2014