Scores attend annual Moral March in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. — RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Scores of people have attended an annual civil rights rally in North Carolina's capital city.

Raleigh news stations reported that Saturday's march focused on raising awareness about racial and social justice.

[Report: UNC-Chapel Hill police, administrators unprepared before 'Silent Sam' statue toppled]

The 13th annual "Moral March on Raleigh " was led by the state NAACP chapter. The rally has gained momentum over the years through former chapter president the Rev. William Barber. He is now a top leader in the national Poor People's Campaign.

Past coverage on Silent Sam:

• Lawmaker looks to totally remove Silent Sam statue from UNC campus
• Athletes petition against $5M building on UNC campus to house Silent Sam statue
• Deadline extended for UNC officials' plan for 'Silent Sam'
• Protesters topple Confederate statue 'Silent Sam' on UNC campus
• Protesters topple Confederate statue 'Silent Sam' on UNC campus
• Hundreds protest on UNC campus against 'Silent Sam' Confederate statue
• UNC students protest 'Silent Sam' Confederate statue
• UNC at Chapel Hill could be sued over Confederate statue 

Moral March leaders promote health care for all, living wages, collective bargaining for public workers and ending the death penalty. Immigration and racial inequities also get attention.

Organizers hope to make an impression on lawmakers. More like-minded lawmakers are now in North Carolina's General Assembly and in Congress following Democratic gains last November.

Associated Press