Students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across North Carolina came to the state legislature in Raleigh on Wednesday for an HBCU Advocacy Day.

Throughout the day, students met directly with lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle to share their views on issues that matter most to them. The students also called on the legislature to support the state’s 10 HBCUs and to enact policies that respect the rights of students to fully participate in democracy.

In all, some 43 students attended the HBCU Advocacy Day, many of whom are Democracy Fellows with Common Cause North Carolina, coming from campuses that included Elizabeth City State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Livingstone College, NC A&T State University, NC Central University, Saint Augustine’s University, Shaw University, and Winston-Salem State University.

In some cases, the students traveled several hours in the early morning to the make their voices heard at the General Assembly.

The HBCU Advocacy Day was organized by the students along with nonpartisan organizations including Common Cause NC, NoCap, NC Black Alliance, and Black Voters Matter.

Common Cause NC has for 17 years worked to empower students at all 10 HBCU campuses across the state through the HBCU Student Action Alliance.

Learn more about the work of Common Cause NC at North Carolina’s HBCU campuses.

WATCH: Students share their views at the HBCU Advocacy Day press conference

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