House protestors arrested

The House's budget debate this afternoon will most likely be dramatic, but probably less so than Tuesday night's debate. 

Five student activists were arrested Tuesday night after staging a protest during the final floor speeches on H200.  The five – Monserrat Alvarez, Raul Jimenez, Zan Caldwell, Luis Rangel, and Andy Koch – were taken to the Wake County jail and charged with disorderly conduct. 

Friends of the five said they were with the "North Carolina Defend Education Coalition."  But most are also members of NC HEAT, a group that has staged protests against the Wake County School Board in recent months.

A woman who was with the students seemed surprised that the five were arrested. She said she was a "teacher who works with the group," but would not give her name.  On the NC HEAT website, she's identified as "Carly."  

At the time, the gallery was full of teachers and educators who were not involved in the protest. Most had come from an afternoon rally across the street. 

Watch  the short video of the protest at right.