RALEIGH, N.C. - 64 people have been arrested inside the North Carolina legislature for protesting the policies advanced by the Republican majority.
The arrests bring the total for the past 10 weeks of "Moral Monday" protests to well over 700 taken to jail, nearly all charged with disorderly conduct, trespassing and violating building rules.Shortly before more than 2,000 people gathered outside the legislative building for the weekly rally, Gov. Pat McCrory said he doesn't think "peripheral issues" will hurt his administration's efforts to attract new businesses to the state.
The Republican governor added that he welcomes protests as long as they're lawful and continue to be nonviolent. He said arresting protesters is still an appropriate use of limited state resources if those expressing opposition are getting in the way of governing.
