NC Faith Leaders March for Voting Rights, Healthcare & Immigrant Justice

Reverend Della Owens-Barber calls for a 'love forward together' movement to counter 'racist redistricting' efforts

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Bishop William Barber II and a coalition of faith leaders have launched a four-day, 50-mile march from Wilson to Raleigh, North Carolina, to protest voting restrictions and advocate for a broader agenda of social justice. The march, dubbed 'Love Forward Together,' is a direct response to recent redistricting decisions by the North Carolina General Assembly, which organizers say are designed to suppress voting rights.

Why it matters

The march is part of a broader effort to mobilize voters and challenge policies that organizers say undermine democratic participation and social justice. The demonstration highlights concerns about gerrymandering, immigration enforcement, and economic inequality, as faith leaders seek to build a diverse coalition around a 'Love Forward' agenda.

The details

The march began on February 11th and is scheduled to conclude with a rally at the state capitol on February 14th. Reverend Della Owens-Barber, pastor of Saint James Church in Wilson, framed the action as a necessary response to 'midcycle racist redistricting' efforts. Reverend Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove of Repairers of the Breach explained that the demonstration aims to defy attempts to undermine the democratic process, with marchers representing a diverse group united by a shared commitment to love and justice.

  • The march began on Wednesday, February 11th.
  • The march is scheduled to conclude with a rally at the state capitol on Saturday, February 14th.

The players

Bishop William Barber II

A prominent faith leader and civil rights activist who is leading the 'Love Forward Together' march.

Reverend Della Owens-Barber

The pastor of Saint James Church in Wilson, North Carolina, where the march began.

Reverend Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

A faith leader with Repairers of the Breach, participating in the march from Knightdale.

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What they’re saying

“My brothers and sisters, we are here today when the North Carolina General Assembly received an order to engage in midcycle racist redistricting in an effort to abridge voting rights. But, oh no, oh no, we are going to march. And we decided we're going to march, we're going to walk, we're going to drive, we're going to caravan for three days to love forward together and to mobilize voters to the poll, going from county to county, precinct to precinct. We will march until the walls of ICE raids come down. We will march until the walls of poverty fall down. We will march until the walls of religious nationalism fall down. We will march until the walls of environmental degradation fall down.”

— Reverend Della Owens-Barber, Pastor of Saint James Church in Wilson (newsdirectory3.com)

“It's time for those who love truth telling to turn it up and turn it on. It's time for those who love education and healthcare, who love a society where you don't have to be worried about people in our name claiming to be officers of the law shooting our people down in the street. It's time for love to turn it up and to turn it on.”

— Bishop William Barber II (newsdirectory3.com)

“We've got ministers of various denominations here, our brother Buddhist monk here with us, many people of many faiths and of no particular faith but who know that love is the power that can overcome fear in this moment.”

— Reverend Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, of Repairers of the Breach (newsdirectory3.com)

What’s next

The march is scheduled to conclude with a large rally at the Old Capitol in Raleigh on Saturday, February 14th. The event will feature music, speakers, and a celebration of the 'Love Forward' agenda, as organizers seek to launch a sustained effort to maximize voter participation in North Carolina and advocate for policies that promote love and justice for all.

The takeaway

This march represents a faith-based movement to counter efforts to suppress voting rights and advance a broader social justice agenda in North Carolina. By mobilizing a diverse coalition around issues like voting access, healthcare, immigration, and economic inequality, the organizers hope to empower local communities and challenge policies that undermine democratic participation and equity.