Blowing Rock Persisters
@blowingrockpersist.bsky.social
https://blowingrockpersisters.blogspot.com/ and https://www.blowingrockpersisters.com/
Formed January 2017, restarted January 2025, we share local options in Watauga County to promote government of the people, by the people, for the people.
Formed January 2017, restarted January 2025, we share local options in Watauga County to promote government of the people, by the people, for the people.
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Hi Bluesky! Our group, the Blowing Rock Persisters, started in Jan. 2017 out of concern for our democracy and restarted in Jan. 2025 for the same reason. We share ideas for collective action and resources with those in our community and surrounding areas, and we hope to continue that work here.
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
Watch Sarai's story: youtu.be/REgB6USURi8?...
Help Sarai and her family. Without her income her children will be homeless.
Donate: donorbox.org/save-sarais-...
Checks may be mailed to: HEAR US Inc. PO Box 2146 Blowing Rock, NC 28605.
Donations are tax-deductible.
Help Sarai and her family. Without her income her children will be homeless.
Donate: donorbox.org/save-sarais-...
Checks may be mailed to: HEAR US Inc. PO Box 2146 Blowing Rock, NC 28605.
Donations are tax-deductible.
December 9, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Watch Sarai's story: youtu.be/REgB6USURi8?...
Help Sarai and her family. Without her income her children will be homeless.
Donate: donorbox.org/save-sarais-...
Checks may be mailed to: HEAR US Inc. PO Box 2146 Blowing Rock, NC 28605.
Donations are tax-deductible.
Help Sarai and her family. Without her income her children will be homeless.
Donate: donorbox.org/save-sarais-...
Checks may be mailed to: HEAR US Inc. PO Box 2146 Blowing Rock, NC 28605.
Donations are tax-deductible.
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
Social media is full of people sharing their Spotify Wrapped results — while Spotify is full of ICE recruitment ads.
As long as Spotify is willing to take money from ICE, they don’t need (and don’t deserve) free advertising on our social feeds.
As long as Spotify is willing to take money from ICE, they don’t need (and don’t deserve) free advertising on our social feeds.
December 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Social media is full of people sharing their Spotify Wrapped results — while Spotify is full of ICE recruitment ads.
As long as Spotify is willing to take money from ICE, they don’t need (and don’t deserve) free advertising on our social feeds.
As long as Spotify is willing to take money from ICE, they don’t need (and don’t deserve) free advertising on our social feeds.
Learn about one refugee in our area who did nothing wrong but ICE/CBP still tore her from her family: vimeo.com/1141256800?f...
Save Sarai!
Sarai, a 42-year old mother and grandmother, was working at her job picking up roadside trash in Lenoir, NC. When she and her crew were driven to a local hotel,…
vimeo.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Learn about one refugee in our area who did nothing wrong but ICE/CBP still tore her from her family: vimeo.com/1141256800?f...
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
Border Patrol’s operation in North Carolina made our construction industry grind to a halt.
But NC House speaker wants to score points in the culture war, so CBP did a “great job,” according to him.
But NC House speaker wants to score points in the culture war, so CBP did a “great job,” according to him.
December 1, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Border Patrol’s operation in North Carolina made our construction industry grind to a halt.
But NC House speaker wants to score points in the culture war, so CBP did a “great job,” according to him.
But NC House speaker wants to score points in the culture war, so CBP did a “great job,” according to him.
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
What a WEEK! At some point in the future we will debrief. Until then keep making GOOD TROUBLE!
#indivisiblehighcountry #indivisible #powertothepeople #unitedwestand
#indivisiblehighcountry #indivisible #powertothepeople #unitedwestand
November 21, 2025 at 5:12 PM
What a WEEK! At some point in the future we will debrief. Until then keep making GOOD TROUBLE!
#indivisiblehighcountry #indivisible #powertothepeople #unitedwestand
#indivisiblehighcountry #indivisible #powertothepeople #unitedwestand
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
re-upping this today -- if you haven't read it yet, it is really worth a look:
November 18, 2025 at 4:23 PM
re-upping this today -- if you haven't read it yet, it is really worth a look:
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
Tonight, as the sun set in Durham, while hundreds more joined patrols in Charlotte, courageous local officials, people of faith, and community leaders gathered to say: Enough is enough.
November 19, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Tonight, as the sun set in Durham, while hundreds more joined patrols in Charlotte, courageous local officials, people of faith, and community leaders gathered to say: Enough is enough.
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
I'm seeing people wonder why ICE is going after Charlotte.
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
“When the 8 African American sheriffs took over the largest counties in North Carolina, it became a threat to the good ol’ boy system,” says the sheriff of Charlotte. These new sheriffs broke ties with ICE.
But GOP lawmakers cracked down this week, overbidding the governor’s veto to adopt this law:
But GOP lawmakers cracked down this week, overbidding the governor’s veto to adopt this law:
North Carolina GOP Is Cracking Down on the Black Sheriffs Who Stood Up to ICE
Boosted by new supermajorities, Republicans are closing in on legislation to mandate more collaboration with ICE and preempt local policies hard-won by immigrants’ rights advocates.
boltsmag.org
November 15, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I'm seeing people wonder why ICE is going after Charlotte.
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
Yesterday, Pennsylvania Governor @joshshapiropa.bsky.social signed their state's budget into law.
That leaves North Carolina as the only state in the entire nation without an operating budget.
Our Republican legislature, unable to decide amongst themselves, just quit and went home.
That leaves North Carolina as the only state in the entire nation without an operating budget.
Our Republican legislature, unable to decide amongst themselves, just quit and went home.
November 13, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Yesterday, Pennsylvania Governor @joshshapiropa.bsky.social signed their state's budget into law.
That leaves North Carolina as the only state in the entire nation without an operating budget.
Our Republican legislature, unable to decide amongst themselves, just quit and went home.
That leaves North Carolina as the only state in the entire nation without an operating budget.
Our Republican legislature, unable to decide amongst themselves, just quit and went home.
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
Still astonishing that our nation's leaders are going to court to stop funding food assistance when there is an emergency fund available for the expressed purpose of funding food assistance during a shutdown. The message couldn't be more obvious #nced #ncpublicschools
www.reuters.com/world/us/usd...
www.reuters.com/world/us/usd...
www.reuters.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Still astonishing that our nation's leaders are going to court to stop funding food assistance when there is an emergency fund available for the expressed purpose of funding food assistance during a shutdown. The message couldn't be more obvious #nced #ncpublicschools
www.reuters.com/world/us/usd...
www.reuters.com/world/us/usd...
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
I joined my North Carolina Democratic colleagues in introducing the Redistricting Transparency & Accountability Act to ensure public participation in the redistricting process. (2/2)
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
NC Democrats in Congress make new push for transparency in redistricting
Rep. Deborah Ross wants to require more transparency and public input when congressional districts are redrawn.
www.newsobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I joined my North Carolina Democratic colleagues in introducing the Redistricting Transparency & Accountability Act to ensure public participation in the redistricting process. (2/2)
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
STOP ASKING MIKE JOHNSON ABOUT THE NEWS! HE IS PROTECTING HIS MENTAL SPACE!
Mike Johnson: I Am Tuning Out the News Cycle to Focus on Self-Care
Don’t ask me about the news. I am protecting my mental space.
www.theatlantic.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
STOP ASKING MIKE JOHNSON ABOUT THE NEWS! HE IS PROTECTING HIS MENTAL SPACE!
The gerrymandered Watauga County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular meeting tonight (Tuesday, November 4) at 5:30 pm, though in a different location: the Community Room of the Watauga County Recreation Center. Join us in attending to remind them we have a right to fair voting districts.
November 4, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The gerrymandered Watauga County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular meeting tonight (Tuesday, November 4) at 5:30 pm, though in a different location: the Community Room of the Watauga County Recreation Center. Join us in attending to remind them we have a right to fair voting districts.
Tuesday, November 4th is election day for many municipalities in North Carolina, including Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and Seven Devils. If you haven't yet voted, you can still vote in your precinct on Tuesday between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm.
November 4, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Tuesday, November 4th is election day for many municipalities in North Carolina, including Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and Seven Devils. If you haven't yet voted, you can still vote in your precinct on Tuesday between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm.
Watauga County Board of Elections meeting tonight (Monday)! Be present to let them know we are disappointed that they are siding with the power brokers in Raleigh against our county's right to local control
Mark your calendars. Lots of great happenings to get involved with in November.
November 3, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Watauga County Board of Elections meeting tonight (Monday)! Be present to let them know we are disappointed that they are siding with the power brokers in Raleigh against our county's right to local control
A long read but well worth it to understand the deliberate damage done to the rule of one person, one vote in our state, degrading the rights of every single voter, regardless of party affiliation. Shameful.
“I’m sure you’re aware of our connections with the Trump Administration,” the North Carolina Republican Party's communications director wrote in an email response to us. “I would strongly suggest dropping this story.”
We didn't. Read the story that he wanted dropped:
We didn't. Read the story that he wanted dropped:
“Biblical Justice, Equal Justice, for All”: How North Carolina’s Chief Justice Transformed His State and America
Paul Newby, a born-again Christian, has turned his perch atop North Carolina’s Supreme Court into an instrument of political power. Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well be...
www.propublica.org
November 2, 2025 at 12:41 PM
A long read but well worth it to understand the deliberate damage done to the rule of one person, one vote in our state, degrading the rights of every single voter, regardless of party affiliation. Shameful.
Just a reminder that today, Saturday, November 1, is the last day of early voting for some municipalities in North Carolina, which in our area include Boone, Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain, and Seven Devils. 8 am to 3 pm at the ASU student union or the county admin building.
November 1, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Just a reminder that today, Saturday, November 1, is the last day of early voting for some municipalities in North Carolina, which in our area include Boone, Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain, and Seven Devils. 8 am to 3 pm at the ASU student union or the county admin building.
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
Nearly 40% of the 42 million SNAP recipients nationwide are children 17 and younger, and another 20% are 60 years or older
42 million Americans will lose food assistance Friday if shutdown continues | Arizona Mirror
SNAP benefits shutdown 42 million November at risk as Agriculture Department faces $3 billion funding shortfall
azmirror.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Nearly 40% of the 42 million SNAP recipients nationwide are children 17 and younger, and another 20% are 60 years or older
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
Tomorrow. October 20. Moral Monday in Boone at Representative Virginia Foxx's office from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Bring signs specifically calling on Representative Foxx to return to work in Washington, pass a budget, restore health care and funding for Medicaid and Snap.
October 19, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Tomorrow. October 20. Moral Monday in Boone at Representative Virginia Foxx's office from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Bring signs specifically calling on Representative Foxx to return to work in Washington, pass a budget, restore health care and funding for Medicaid and Snap.
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
High Country in Western NC, This is our moment: October 18th No Kings! Join us in Lenoir, NC as we stand united against an authoritarian government.
RSVP: Mobilize - No Kings in Lenoir for more info.
www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
#NoKings #nokingsnc #indivisiblehighcountry #nokingslenoir
RSVP: Mobilize - No Kings in Lenoir for more info.
www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
#NoKings #nokingsnc #indivisiblehighcountry #nokingslenoir
October 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM
High Country in Western NC, This is our moment: October 18th No Kings! Join us in Lenoir, NC as we stand united against an authoritarian government.
RSVP: Mobilize - No Kings in Lenoir for more info.
www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
#NoKings #nokingsnc #indivisiblehighcountry #nokingslenoir
RSVP: Mobilize - No Kings in Lenoir for more info.
www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
#NoKings #nokingsnc #indivisiblehighcountry #nokingslenoir
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
Watauga County, make your voice heard! Join us Tuesday October 7 at 5:30pm at 814 W. King Street- Suite 205 to let the county commissioners know that we want fair maps.
October 6, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Watauga County, make your voice heard! Join us Tuesday October 7 at 5:30pm at 814 W. King Street- Suite 205 to let the county commissioners know that we want fair maps.
Heads up--a good chance tonight to gather with a candidate actually willing to meet with voters (unlike someone else we know, cough, cough, rhymes with box)...No need to rsvp, they tell us, just drop in if you can at 5 pm in SouthEnd Brewing in Boone.
October 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Heads up--a good chance tonight to gather with a candidate actually willing to meet with voters (unlike someone else we know, cough, cough, rhymes with box)...No need to rsvp, they tell us, just drop in if you can at 5 pm in SouthEnd Brewing in Boone.
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
Immigrants are welcome here!
#indivisible #indivisiblehighcountry #indivisibleneers #standupfightback
#indivisible #indivisiblehighcountry #indivisibleneers #standupfightback
September 20, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Immigrants are welcome here!
#indivisible #indivisiblehighcountry #indivisibleneers #standupfightback
#indivisible #indivisiblehighcountry #indivisibleneers #standupfightback
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
Join us and for the Fed Up with the GOP Food Drive and Protest on Stadium Dr. at the Appalachian State University campus from 4:30-6:00 pm on Saturday Sept. 20. This map shows where Democracy Defenders (protestors) will assemble, where food donations will be collected and free parking areas.
September 17, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Join us and for the Fed Up with the GOP Food Drive and Protest on Stadium Dr. at the Appalachian State University campus from 4:30-6:00 pm on Saturday Sept. 20. This map shows where Democracy Defenders (protestors) will assemble, where food donations will be collected and free parking areas.
Reposted by Blowing Rock Persisters
NEW: Gov. Josh Stein signed an order Friday afternoon allowing eligible North Carolinians to receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine without obtaining a prescription. ncnewsline.com/briefs/stein... By @christinezhu.bsky.social #nc #ncpol
Stein orders COVID-19 vaccines available without a prescription in North Carolina • NC Newsline
COVID-19 vaccines available without a prescription in North Carolina under new Stein orders..
ncnewsline.com
September 12, 2025 at 8:27 PM
NEW: Gov. Josh Stein signed an order Friday afternoon allowing eligible North Carolinians to receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine without obtaining a prescription. ncnewsline.com/briefs/stein... By @christinezhu.bsky.social #nc #ncpol