Occupy protesters declare victory
Protesters have declared a victory after their post-curfew protest resulted in no arrests, and the director of South Carolina’s public safety agency called last week’s 6 p.m. order to leave State House grounds a misunderstanding.
More than 150 people gathered tonight at the State House to challenge Gov. Nikki Haley’s order to arrest anyone protesting on State House grounds after 6 p.m. Nineteen people were arrested last Wednesday.With officers watching from the sidelines, protesters chanted that Haley’s order took away First Amendment rights of free speech. The hour-long rally ended with no arrests.Public Safety Director Leroy Smith then told reporters that protesters can stay as long as they like, as long as they don’t camp out with sleeping bags and food tables.Protesters say officials are clearly backpedaling.