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Thousands at "Moral March" to protest NC policies

RALEIGH, N.C. — (AP) — Leaders of the movement opposing Republican policies in North Carolina say they won't be silenced in 2014 and vow to challenge what they call an extreme agenda within the legislature, in court and at the ballot box.

Thousands gathered Saturday for the "Moral March on Raleigh," which built upon a year of protests opposing what the GOP-led General Assembly and Gov. Pat McCrory had approved. Demonstrators filled up at least three blocks when they reached the march's end at the old Capitol.

The Rev. William Barber of the state NAACP is the movement's top leader. He told the crowd they return to Raleigh with a renewed sense of urgency and strength to counter elected leaders.

Raleigh police didn't release a crowd estimate. The permit application planned for at least 20,000.