'Occupy Raleigh' takes to sidewalks outside State Capitol
Denied a permit to camp out at the old State Capitol, local supporters of the "Occupy Wall Street" movement took to the sidewalks in downtown Raleigh overnight this weekend.
Posted — UpdatedDozens of people gathered and demonstrated on sidewalks surrounding the State Capitol building at 1 E. Edenton St. overnight Saturday. The sidewalks are public property.
The Occupy Raleigh group had sought a permit to camp out on the grounds of the State Capitol from Saturday through Oct. 30, but its application was denied Friday.
The state Department of Administration told the group that it could reapply under guidelines limiting property use to four hours. The agency has also said there aren't enough State Capitol Police to provide extended security.
Occupy Raleigh organizers said the four-hour limit fails to account for the extent of the economic and political problems their movement seeks to address.
About 400 people took part in an Occupy Raleigh rally on the State Capitol grounds last Saturday. Raleigh police arrested 20 people who refused to leave the grounds after the permit expired. Officers allowed about 75 protesters who moved to the sidewalk to stay.
Small demonstrations continued this week on the sidewalks around the State Capitol grounds.
The Occupy Wall Street protests began a month ago in New York and have drawn tens of thousands in similar demonstrations around the country and the world.
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