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GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Southern Christian Leadership Conference of North Carolina has announced that they support Gov. Pat McCrory on the controversial so-called “Bathroom Bill.”

“This is not the same civil rights violation which the people of color have experienced,” the organization said in a prepared statement.

“This is a religious issue, where the U.S. government is attempting to force the people in North Carolina to change their spiritual and moral beliefs.”

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is an African-American civil rights organization that had a large role in the American Civil Rights Movement.

Gov. Pat McCrory signed House Bill 2, called the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, more than a month ago after it was passed by the North Carolina Senate.

The bill makes transgender people use the bathrooms that correspond to the gender on their birth certification.

Critics claim the bill discriminates against transgender individuals. PayPal withheld a Charlotte expansion because of the bill, costing the state hundreds of jobs. Artists such as Bruce Springsteen and Demi Lovato have also cancelled North Carolina concerts.