11 arrested while protesting North Carolina’s LGBT law

Published 10:01 am Friday, May 20, 2016

RALEIGH, N.C. — Nearly a dozen people were arrested in North Carolina’s Legislative Building during a second swell of demonstrations led by civic and religious leaders opposing the state’s law limiting protections for LGBT people.

Police arrested 11 protesters late Monday afternoon after authorities say they burst into the office of the House clerk demanding a meeting with a legislative leader to discuss the law, which also directs transgender people to use public bathrooms aligned with the sex on their birth certificate.

General Assembly Police Chief Martin Brock said those arrested would be charged with second-degree trespassing and violating building rules, which prohibit visitors from disturbing workers performing duties.

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The protesters were among hundreds who participated in a rally led by the state NAACP on the Bicentennial Mall calling for a repeal of the bill and for Republican Gov. Pat McCrory to withdraw his support.