Politically active residents from Orange and Chatham counties gathered at the Carrboro Farmers Market to speak on progressive issues and lend their support to candidates running for state and local offices.
Carrboro resident Marty Mandell, who helped organize the event, said the gathering was designed to unite progressive citizens.
"It's the first time ever these two counties have gotten together to present progressive issues," Mandell said.
She said 105 people attended the event, which she called a progressive rally.
Speakers also lent their support to Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange, who is running for re-election this week against fellow incumbent Sen. Howard Lee, D-Orange.
Mandell said Lee was not invited to the event because his political ideology is not in sync with the participants of the event.
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the collection of mostly middle-aged and older people sat in fold-out chairs, listening to various speakers discuss such issues as alternative fuels, access to information and civil liberties.
Orange County Commissioner Steve Halkiotis said the state legislature is largely unconcerned with the threat nuclear storage poses to local citizens.
"Seemingly nobody in Raleigh cares," Halkiotis said. "But we're willing to fight a battle."
