ALAMANCE – Today, law enforcement participated in an egregious act of voter suppression and intimidation. Candidate for NC House District 63 Ricky Hurtado has released the following statement:

“Earlier today, a diverse group of nearly 200 people taking part in a permitted peaceful march to the polls in downtown Graham were pepper sprayed by the Alamance County Sheriff’s Department, with several arrested without provocation. Beyond local community members marching to cast their vote on the last day of early voting, clergy, a photographer from a local newspaper, elderly residents, and even children were affected by pepper spray, with several arrested. The use of force on display today as people exercised their first amendment rights to take a stand against racial injustice is unconscionable. It’s even more appalling to see the use of pepper spray in the midst of a public health crisis that directly impacts people’s ability to breathe.

The Alamance Community will not let today’s incident prevent their voices from being heard. Voters were motivated to legally gather and march to the polls because they know how important this election is. Turn out is record high and we expect that to continue—officials across the country are working hard to ensure voters will be safe and their vote will be counted.”