‘The danger for repeal has subsided for now, we should pray that it doesn’t raise its ugly head again,’ says Dr. Mark Creech
By CAL Staff
Christian Action League
September 23, 2016
CHARLOTTE – Last week the Christian Action League released an Urgent Action Alert calling upon citizens to contact Governor Pat McCrory, as well as state representatives and senate members, to encourage them not to back down on HB 2.
Efforts by various business interests were attempting to broker a compromise which included the Charlotte City Council repealing the city ordinance that brought about the passage of the law. If the City Council repealed their ordinance at their regular meeting on Monday evening, the Governor pledged to call a special session of the General Assembly to take-up repeal of the legislation, commonly referred to as “the bathroom bill.”
In a joint statement released on Sunday, legislative leadership, Sen. President Pro-Tempore, Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said:
“If the Charlotte City Council had not passed its ordinance in the first place, the North Carolina General Assembly would not have called itself back into session to pass HB2 in response. Consequently, although our respective caucuses have not met or taken an official position, we believe that if the Charlotte City Council rescinds its ordinance there would be support in our caucuses to return state law to where it was pre-HB 2.”
But any repeal deal dissipated by Monday morning, when Mayor Jennifer Roberts announced during a press conference that she appreciated the state wanting to find a solution, but the blame for HB 2 belonged to the governor and the legislature and they should act.
She added, “We are not prepared to add this item to our agenda this evening, however, we urge the state to take action as soon as possible and encourage continued dialogue with the broader community.”
During a Rotary Club meeting in Charlotte where he spoke on Tuesday, Governor McCrory said that it wasn’t likely HB 2 would now be repealed. He said it would probably be resolved by a Supreme Court decision.
Still, the Wilkesboro Journal Patriot printed a quote from Rep. Jeffrey Elmore (R-Wilkes) that best reflects what undoubtedly should be the apprehensions of any serious prospect for repeal.
When asked about his views on the possible repeal of HB 2 if Charlotte would repeal its ordinance, Elmore replied, “The point of the bill (HB2) was that Charlotte didn’t have authority to do what it did because the Charlotte ordinance superseded state and federal law.”
“Elmore continued, ‘If we repeal the law (HB2), another city or municipality could end up doing the same thing the Charlotte City Council did with the ordinance it passed. The goal was to create consistency across the state.’”
Dr. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League said any talk of the repeal of HB 2 caused him and the people he represents in the Christian community considerable angst.
“People say we need a compromise, but HB 2 is a compromise. It’s the Charlotte ordinance that by design is fascist in nature, exerting harsh control and authority, forcing women and young girls to use the restroom or to undress or shower in the presence of men,” said Dr. Creech. “It singled out and threatened to punish citizens, private businesses, and even churches, if they weren’t willing to set aside their religious objections to comply with the ordinance.”
He added HB 2 blocked the menace the Charlotte ordinance would have caused and provided a uniform policy for the state, letting private businesses, etc., respond in their own way to LGBTQ concerns, without any coercion from them or the City of Charlotte.
“It’s the Human Rights Campaign, Equality NC, the Democratic Party, and other Progressives who, like the social terrorists that they can be, would precipitate as much economic carnage as possible until there’s complete surrender. I trust our Governor, as well as our legislative leadership and lawmakers don’t lose sight of this,” he said. “This is not just about our state but the entire nation. Despite some recent unreliable polling reported by the media, I am very confident most North Carolinians remain firmly behind HB 2. They want the Governor and the General Assembly to stay the course!”
Talk of repeal heated up after the NCAA and the ACC recently withdrew their championship games from the Tar Heel state in protest of HB 2.
Attorney General Roy Cooper, who is currently running for Governor, has said repeatedly that HB 2 is harming the state’s economy. However, according to a WRAL news analysis, using conservative figures, HB 2’s impact on the state’s economy has only been approximately 0.1 percent.
Dr. Creech admonished that citizen Christians should be ever vigilant about this issue.
“Although I believe the danger for repeal has subsided for now, we should pray it doesn’t raise its ugly head again. And we should be sure to tell our lawmakers that represent us that North Carolina shouldn’t turn back,” he said.