A judge in Raleigh has dismissed five more cases against protesters arrested last summer at the General Assembly. The judge used recent Supreme Court rulings as a guide.

 

Judge Anne Salisbury yesterday cited a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in her decision to drop the charges.

Five protesters arrested July 15, 2013, had been charged with second-degree trespass and violating North Carolina Legislative Building rules had argued that their constitutional rights were violated. More than 900 demonstrators were arrested outside General Assembly chambers last summer during protests that became known as "Moral Monday" rallies.

Salisbury cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding abortion protests in Massachusetts. That ruling said that attempting to create spaces on public property where protesting is not allowed is unconstitutional.

More cases are scheduled this week.  

 

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