Gate at Governor's Mansion damaged during ReopenNC rally, police say

The gate outside the Governor's Mansion was damaged during Tuesday's ReopenNC protests, according to State Capitol police.

Posted 11:21 a.m. Apr 29, 2020 — Updated 12:35 p.m. Apr 29, 2020

Nia Harden

, WRAL reporter

RALEIGH, N.C. — The gate outside the Governor's Mansion was damaged during Tuesday's ReopenNC protests, according to State Capitol police.

Four people were arrested after the rally, including one of the co-founders of ReopenNC -- Ashley Smith, 33, of Morganton. Lisa Todd, 55, of Raleigh, Wendy Macasieb, 53, of Catawba, and Jonathan Dane Warren II of Indian Trail were also arrested. All are charged with resisting a public officer and violation of an executive order, and police said more arrests could be coming.

Warren was charged with damage to property after damaging the "north east gate of the executive mansion by pulling on it so violently that it was broken," police said.

Ashley Smith, one of the co-founders of ReopenNC, said she was "manhandled" at Tuesday's protest in downtown Raleigh. Smith and three others -- Jonathan Warren, Lisa Todd and Wendy Macasieb -- were arrested.

Police say Warren broke the gate and lock at the executive mansion trying to gain entry during the rally.

Reopen NC, which started as a Facebook group, wants Gov. Roy Cooper to lift his order keeping people at home. The current order expires May 8, but it could be extended. Gov. Cooper and state health leaders say trends need to improve before North Carolina can reopen.

The group believes the economic impact of the crisis outweighs the public health risk.

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