They came by the hundreds, packed galleries, lined the halls of the Legislative Building, and waited outside committee rooms.
They came from every corner of North Carolina, proving something every citizen should remember: The people still have the power.
Over the past 13 ½ months, North Carolinians have witnessed three powerful examples of citizen engagement: “Shrimpgate,” “Hempgate,” and the fight against what many called the Franklin County Land Grab in Senate Bill 214.
The proposed shrimp trawling ban (HB 442) brought shrimpers, seafood workers, restaurant owners, and supporters to Raleigh in overwhelming numbers.
One young shrimper told me his father and grandfather had made their living on the water, and now he was carrying on that tradition. His story reminded me that every bill before the General Assembly affects real families and real livelihoods.
The proposed hemp restrictions (HB 328) generated a similar response. Farmers, veterans, patients, retailers, manufacturers, and small business owners filled the Legislative Building, sharing their concerns with lawmakers and organizing communities back home.
In both cases, public engagement mattered. After hearing from citizens across the state, the House did not take up either proposal.
Closer to home, SB 214 demonstrated that same power. The bill included provisions
affecting Halifax, Warren, and Vance counties by expanding Franklin County's eminent domain authority beyond its borders, as well as unrelated changes to Forsyth County elections.
Local officials, community leaders, and citizens united, passed resolutions, traveled to Raleigh, and made their voices impossible to ignore. Their efforts helped remove those controversial provisions from the bill.
These experiences also reflect how I have chosen to serve. I believe my responsibility extends beyond casting votes. It includes making sure the people I represent understand what is happening in Raleigh before those votes are cast. Through social media, press releases, op-eds, town halls, and my Bringing the Capital to the Constituents series, I’ve worked to keep residents informed because informed citizens are empowered citizens.
That responsibility also means speaking out when legislation threatens our communities.
During debate on SB 214, I spoke on the House floor against the harmful Section 5, which directly impacted District 27.
Taking those positions can come with political consequences. It can become more difficult to advance your own legislation or secure support for district requests. But public service requires putting the people you represent ahead of political convenience.
The lesson from these debates is simple: Democracy does not end after elections.
The bills were introduced. They advanced. Yet citizens organized, showed up, contacted legislators, and demanded accountability to change the outcome.
Every North Carolinian should remember that elected officials work for the people – not the other way around. Staying informed, asking questions, attending meetings, and speaking up when it matters makes citizens the most powerful lobby in our state.
Never underestimate what can happen when people come together. The power does not belong to politicians.
It belongs to the people.
Rodney D. Pierce is the House District 27 representative Halifax, Northampton and Warren counties