Michael Danforth waited 37 months for disability assistance from Medicaid as colon cancer ravaged his health. Just nine days before his first disability was due to arrive, he died at 33.

He was uninsured due to a genetic condition.

His smiling portrait sat atop an empty, black casket in front of the Gaston County Courthouse Monday. Held by organizers, the casket was decorated with signs reading “This coffin represents policy murder!” and “307,000 people in North Carolina will lose Medicaid.”

His mother, Leslie Boyd, led a demonstration of nearly 100 clergy members, activists and community supporters who condemned the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed by President Donald Trump this month. Afterward, the crowd delivered a letter to Republican Rep. Tim Moore’s Gastonia office, demanding an explanation for his support of the legislation.

Signed on July 4, the bill will make historic cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, CNN reported. The Trump administration and GOP lawmakers have disputed that the bill will kick American families off medicaid, saying the new legislation is “strengthening the integrity of Medicaid by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse,” according to The White House website.

“Blood is on the hands of the people who voted for the big bill,” Boyd said before leading attendees in a rendition of “This Little Light of Mine.”

In a July 3 news release, Moore said he was proud to vote for the bill that will deliver “the largest tax cut in history for working Americans” and strengthen Medicaid.

Event attendees came from the Poor People’s Campaign of North Carolina, Repairers of the Breach and the Kairo’s Center among other advocacy organizations. The rally was part of William Barber’s Moral Monday movement to condemn the debt reconciliation bill.

“Right now, in 10 southern states, we are moving forward together and not one step back,” said NC organizer Sangria Noble.

Demonstrations also took place Monday in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia and Tennessee. Other groups across the country protested July 4 and have planned demonstrations nationwide in the coming days in response to various Trump policies, including the “beautiful bill.”

During the Gastonia demonstration, speakers emphasized the role of faith in advocating for people who may lose support because of the bill.

“You’ll see in front of us here today are pallbearers and a coffin because this bill will cause lives because this bill will cause lives,” said Rev. Darryl Dayson of South Tryon Community Church. “That’s why we have guided faith leaders, community members here today, because when people die in our community, we show up to remember their life.”

Mandy Armstrong, a Gaston county resident, said losing Medicaid coverage would mean losing health care for three of her rheumatoid arthritis medications.

“I would love for Representative Tim Moore to tell us why he voted to pass such a bill that will have devastating impacts right here,” she said.

All Republicans in North Carolina’s House delegation voted in favor of the bill, while all Democrats opposed it, The News and Observer reported.

Following Monday’s speeches, organizers carried the empty casket while rally attendees followed in a line to Moore’s office. They placed the casket and their signs down before entering the building.

Inside the building, Dayson delivered a letter and asked a receptionist to schedule an appointment to discuss its implications. She said the appointment would be scheduled.

Dayson then led the group of attendees and the receptionist in a prayer.

Heather Stancil, a Belmont resident, said she hopes the demonstration will catch the attention of NC lawmakers.

“I think demonstrations like this are the only thing left to do,” she said. “It’s the only thing they’ll listen to.”

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