The rally was sponsored by New Kentucky, a group that includes Commonwealth Kentuckians and African American activist groups such as the Louisville Urban League, Black Lives Matter, and the National Panhellenic Council.
They rallied for a variety of causes, most of which had to do with bills affecting students and education.
Organizer Megan Bailey voiced her opposition to several bills targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools.
“There are many stories of people feeling heard, feeling seen, feeling important, and receiving degrees because of these programs in place.” Bailey said.
Bills that would prohibit these programs include House Bill 93, which prohibits DEI efforts at the K-12 level; Senate Bill 6, which prohibits universities from offering training on certain DEI-related concepts; Includes House Bill 9, which eliminates the concept. His DEI office at the university.
Other attendees were concerned about Senate Bill 80. The bill would ban the use of student ID cards as valid voter identification to prevent election fraud.
But Berea College student Maddie Pierce said many students don't have the time or money to get a state ID.
“One of the key terms we use at Bellaire is ‘Bellaire is busy,’” Pierce said. “I don't have time to sit at the DMV, I don't have time to fill out all the paperwork. I don't have an address in Bellaire other than his CPO (College Post Office) box and dorm address.”
Organizers say they hope to use the New Kentucky platform to unite these organizations under one banner and encourage more young people to run for local office.
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