The NCGOP says the rally on the Halifax Mall was about thanking lawmakers for their efforts to push through change.
They say the majority of North Carolina voted in these lawmakers, and that the public now needs to respects its decisions -- even the decisions that sparked the "Moral Monday" movement.
"People say are you out here to counter-protest Moral Monday? Lord no we're not doing that," said N.C. Republican Party Chairman Claude Pope. "We're out here to thank our legislators for the hard work they've done, through all the arrows."
Pope also weighed in directly at the Moral Monday organizers.
"They're mad at the wrong people," said Pope. "They should be protesting down in front of Democratic Party Headquarters on Hillsborough Street where for decades they have messed things up so bad."
Some Republican lawmakers looked on, seeing thank-you signs and expressing gratitude for this supportive crowd.
"I tell you what it's good to see everybody here after looking out that window on Monday and seeing folks out here I know don't like us a lot," said Rep. Mike Hager, (R) District 112.
Some in the group said they don't agree with every piece of legislation, but they say they respect it.
"I just want to come to say I support what the governor, House and Senate are doing," said Tillie Turlington.
"I don't agree with everything, most things, but I agree it was time turnaround was made," said Bob Turlington.
The Democratic Party of North Carolina responded to the event by issuing a statement.
"I'm not sure there's much to be thankful for under this Republican leadership," said N.C. Democratic Party Spokesman Micah Beasley. "We have the 5th highest unemployment rate in the nation, we've fallen out of the top 10 for best states for business and our unemployed just had the resources they need gutted. When it comes to standing up for North Carolina's middle class, Republicans are nowhere to be found."
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