Local Advocacy
Advocacy Day 2026: A Successful Day at the Legislature
Planning for Advocacy Day began months in advance, with our team securing appointments starting two weeks out and continuing right up until the day before the event. The result was a strong turnout: 18 attendees, led by four group leaders navigating the halls of the General Assembly together.
In-Person Meetings
We held more than 20 meetings with legislators and their staff, most were scheduled but a few were last minute additions, including one senator who, recognizing a familiar face leading one of our groups, stepped out of a meeting to sit down with us on the strength of an existing relationship. We also had several impromptu conversations that sprang up along the way, hallway conversations with legislators on the go.
Lit Drops
For every legislator we met with, we left behind two key resources. Where we couldn't secure a meeting, or with key representatives from outside the Triangle like Mecklenburg County, we made sure their offices still received the same materials. These included an overview of Triangle Freethought Society's ongoing work opposing Christian Nationalism, and a one-page breakdown of pending bills that threaten the separation of religion and government. Several of the bills we flagged were not going to make it on their own and were ultimately folded into the state budget passed in July, including a provision allowing students to leave school during instructional hours for religious training.
Recognized on the House Floor
Our group also attended a session of the NC House, where we were formally recognized by the Speaker and stood to applause from the chamber. We filled a full pew, gaining looks of admiration from a number of smaller groups around us.
Getting ready to start Advocacy Day 2026 across the street from the Legislative Building. Pep Talk from the Activism & Advocacy Committee's Co-chairs.
Rep Lindsey Prather meeting with the full TFS contingent to welcome us and give us pointers for our meetings with our peers!
Activism & Advocacy Co-Chairs, Leah & Madhavi, with Rep Lindsey Prather as we kick off our day.
Rep Sarah Crawford meeting with her constituents and other TFS members.
Rep Ray Jeffers meeting with TFS members.
Rep Julie von Haefen meeting with TFS members.
Rep Monika Johnson-Hostler meeting with her constituents and other TFS members.
Rep Marcia Morey meeting with her constituents and other TFS members.
Freshman Senator Jonah Garson challenged his constituents to a debate on Enlightenment Skepticism . . . then laughed and had a great first meeting with TFS.
A view of the House Session from the gallery.
House session getting ready to begin by recognizing groups present, including a large TFS contingent!
Meeting Summary with Congresswoman Deborah Ross
On Friday, January 26, 2024 TFS had its first official meeting with a sitting member of Congress. President of the Board, Matthew Krevat, met with Deborah Ross along with the TFS Advocacy Co-Chairs, Madhavi and Leah Krevat. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce TFS to the Congresswoman and to advocate, on behalf of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), for her to consider joining the Congressional Freethought Caucus.
Congresswoman Ross was accompanied by her Director of Civic Engagement, Kimberly Williams Moore, Ph.D. Matthew introduced the Triangle Freethought Society (TFS), outlining its purpose, tenets, events, and community outreach efforts. Madhavi and Leah provided an overview of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, its history, current chairpersons, and members. They highlighted the rise of White Christian Nationalism and the importance of protecting the secular integrity of democracy.
Congresswoman Ross reviewed a documents prepared by TFS and documents from the FFRF and shared her thoughts. While she supports the separation of church and state and aligns with the Caucus's principles, she chose not to join the Caucus. Despite this, she affirmed her status as an ally and her commitment to the separation of church and state.
Congresswoman Ross, who considers us friends and constituents, asked for our understanding of her position on the Caucus. We appreciated her stance and were glad to meet her face-to-face. She reaffirmed her support for the separation of church and state and her role as an ally to the Caucus. We have met with her informally at community events and she has reaffirmed her support of separation of church and state and her admiration of the work we do on the ground.