The Shocking Political Fight in North Carolina
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There's a shocking political fight happening in North Carolina, right now, and George Takei sent out a call to action Friday for Americans to protect democracy and LGBT rights.
Gov. Pat McCrory (R-N.C.) lost his bid for re-election to Democratic candidate Roy Cooper, and Friday McCrory signed a bill that will put new restrictions on Cooper's powers when he takes office with Senate Bill 4, which will curb the governor's power to oversee elections.
The Republican controlled state legislature began drafting new bills to restrict Cooper's power in a special session Thursday.
As of mid-day Friday, at least 18 people have been arrested in the General Assembly's House Gallery, as the state's residents continue to protest the power restrictions, according to Local CBS affiliate WNCN.
Other drafted bills would require state Senate approval for state agency appointments, according to CBS News.
Takei recently instructed his followers to call North Carolina legislators in opposition to the power grab.
He added that the future of the controversial HB 2, more commonly known as the "bathroom bill," might be at a stake.
The HB 2 bill, signed by McCrory, bans city-wide discrimination protections for LGBT people and requires transgender people to use the bathroom that corresponds with their birth certificate. Cooper has opposed the controversial law, and polling shows his stance on it played a significant role in his victory. An ABC exit poll on Nov. 8 found that 65 percent of North Carolina voters oppose HB 2. McCrory initially refused to concede the election but a month later he seemingly gave in to congratulate Cooper on his new role.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
