About 16 Reportedly Arrested Including Local Lawmaker, Reporter

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory fought the election results for a month, but in the end the longtimeÂ Republican with deep ties to GOP state lawmakers conceded to his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Roy Cooper. On Wednesday, Republican lawmakers, concluded a special session called by McCrory, and with nearly no notice, opened a new special session to address “emergencies.”

Those emergencies included 28 bills, but were focused on just one: legislation that would strip the incoming Democratic governor of much of his power.

Right now, police are arresting protestors in the state house who are calling the Republicans’ actions a veritable coup. Among those arrested is a local city council person and a reporter.

Police are beginning to arrest people in House chamber and escorting them out in zip ties #NCGA #ProtectOurVote pic.twitter.com/NK6uAwNwss â€” NARAL Pro-Choice NC (@NARALNC) December 15, 2016

Police reportedly are threatening to arrest other reporters also:

Now being told to leave. Am told this includes media and I’ll be arrested if I don’t leave. Politely said they’ll have to arrest me. #NCPol â€” JoekillianPW (@JoekillianPW) December 15, 2016

Public being kicked out of House gallery now for protesters’ chants. Looks like a few are staying and facing arrest. #ncpol #ncga â€” Colin Campbell (@RaleighReporter) December 15, 2016

North Carolina NAACP posted this video minutes ago:

And this tweet:

North Carolinians such as teachers, Drs, clergy and retirees trying to instruct their lawmakers but were placed under arrest #ncga #ncpol â€” NC NAACP (@ncnaacp) December 15, 2016

There’s even a Twitter hashtag:Â #nccoup.

More:

Nearly half a dozen people have been arrested and the number keeps rising. #ncga #ncpol @myfox8 pic.twitter.com/IIzWBMLCh2 â€” Alex Rose (@AlexRoseNews) December 15, 2016

UPDATE II: 5:36 PM ESTÂ â€“

Top North Carolina political reporter Colin Campbell via Twitter says 20-25 arrested, per police:

20-25 protesters arrested, charged with trespassing according to the police officer down here #ncpol #ncga â€” Colin Campbell (@RaleighReporter) December 15, 2016

More:

5:48 PM EST â€“

More:

As of now it appears police have cleared the statehouse, protestors are still gathered outside:

The protest has now moved outside as they wait to show solidarity to those arrested. #ncpol #ncpolitics pic.twitter.com/IFEFOeLgx5 â€” Ryan Breslin (@RyBrez) December 15, 2016

Lawmakers are continuing their session, which some say was constituted illegally:

House proceedings do appear to still be ongoing #ncga #ncpol â€” Melissa Boughton (@mel_bough) December 15, 2016

Here’s a quick video of Chris Sgro, who happens to be both the Executive Director of Equality North Carolina and a Democratic NC lawmaker. He’s reminding lawmakers of what happened to NC with HB2:

Protestors chanting, “Shame! Shame! Shame!”

Shame on Speaker Moore, Senate Leader Berger & all extremist legislators undermining our democracy #RespectOurVote pic.twitter.com/cxKwskWBr5 â€” NC NAACP (@ncnaacp) December 15, 2016

UPDATE IV: 5:58 PM ESTÂ â€“

It’s important to note a few things. First, Republican lawmakers areÂ Trying to jam 28 bills down the throats of North Carolina’s citizens, all of which have been presented without notice. No time to read or debateÂ â€“ just like they did with HB2.

Second, the session itself right now may be unconstitutional, as the NC GOP has closed the doors to the public. That may violate NC’s Public Meetings law, but we can’t report that with certainty right now.

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UPDATE V: 6:22 PM ESTÂ â€“

The number of people arrested is being reported as 16 now:

UPDATE VI: 7:22 PM EST â€“Â

NEW:Â Watch Live Now: North Carolina House Debates GOP Bills Stripping New Democratic Governor of Powers

NEW â€“Â HB17 passes. Just one of many:Â Despite Large Protest North Carolina GOP House Passes Bill Greatly Restricting New Democratic Governor’s Power

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NCRM will continue to update â€“ stay tuned.

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