HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. (WNCN) — People packed Holly Springs Town Council meeting to discuss Wake County’s non-discrimination ordinance. 

The ordinance was not on Tuesday evening’s agenda, but was the main topic of public comment with people both pushing the town to adopt the ordinance and supporting the town for not adopting it.

The ordinance allows someone to file a complaint if they believe a business or organization has discriminated against them on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disabilities, and other identities. The full text of the ordinance can be read here. 

Jackie Turnwald discussed said the ordinance would make their family safer.

“When I hear the council say that this is not for Holly Springs, I have to ask how has our town magically found itself exempt from institutional racism, from ableism, from transphobia, and misogyny, the truth is it hasn’t,” Turnwald said.

The town council decided not to adopt the ordinance at its work session last week, as some council members voiced concerns about the liability the ordinance would put on local businesses. A group of people rallied before that meeting asking the council to support the ordinance.

Brian Norman said he supports the town’s decision to not adopt the ordinance.

“I don’t think that they should adopt it because I think as far as humans, people, you know residents in the community, that we all get along already, and it’s just creating another issue to kind of divide us,” Norman said.

Other municipalities that have adopted the ordinance include Raleigh and Apex.