Rally in North Charleston to protest Sanford's approach to unemployment

Image by Flickr user BikoyImage by 20090608-rally.jpg

Update June 8: The protest was a success. Fed up locals came out with signs and high spirits to listen to state officials demand Governor Mark Sanford to refocus and fix the unemployment problem facing South Carolina.

Check out our photo gallery from the protest, and take a look at Flickr user wjhamilton 29464's.


First reporting:


Sick of year-after-year of relatively high unemployment, groups are holding rallies across the state today to tell Gov. Mark Sanford to get serious about jobs in the Palmetto State.

Read more stories on this subject in our unemployment topic page.And, yes, though Sanford has been forced to allow the stimulus money, the group says: "The rallies aren't really about the stimulus money, even though we are pleased with the Supreme Court's ruling. Instead, this is about a Governor with one of the worst jobs creation records South Carolina has ever seen. 

"Our unemployment rate is at an all time high, much higher than states like North Carolina and Georgia. He has a year and a half left as Governor, and the purpose of this rally is to ask him to concentrate on actually being Governor rather than his national ambitions. People are hurting more in South Carolina than other states, and we need our Governor to help."

Locally they'll be rallying in Park Circle today, June 8, at noon. Speaking will be Mayor Keith Summey, State Representative David Mack, and State Representative Anne Peterson Hutto, among others.

But, here's all the details from an e-mailed release:

On Monday, June 8, concerned citizens from all over South Carolina will hold rallies to demand that Governor Mark Sanford put aside his national ambitions and instead address the jobs crisis the state is currently in. South Carolina’s unemployment rate is at a record high and teachers are being fired throughout the state. Law enforcement budgets have been cut to the bone.

Rallies will be held at noon in Greenville, Florence, and North Charleston. A 5:30 PM rally will be held in Columbia. Locations and speakers are as followed:

North Charleston: Park Circle at 12:00 PM. Speakers will include Mayor Keith Summey, State Representative David Mack and State Representative Anne Peterson Hutto.

Greenville: Greenville County Square (301 University Ridge) at 12:00 PM. Speakers will include 2009 SC Teacher of the Year Bryan Coburn, unemployed public school teacher Nanette Nilsson, and recent college graduate Frank Holleman Jr.

Florence: Carver Elementary School (515 N Cashua Drive) at 12:00 PM. Speakers will include Florence District One School Superintendent Larry Jackson, State Representative Terry Alexander and State Representative Robert Williams.

Columbia: State House Steps (North Side) at 5:30 PM. Speakers will include Richland County Treasurer David Adams, State Representative Anton Gunn, and State Senator John Scott.