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Georgia Senator Nikema Williams, and about a dozen demonstrators who were arrested during a protest in the state Capitol The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Williams said she was standing with her constituents when officers arrested and led her out of the Capitol.

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“I was not yelling. I was not chanting,” Williams said. “I stood peacefully next to my constituents because they wanted their voices to be heard, and now I’m being arrested.”

The protest took place in the rotunda under the Gold Dome was organized by an Atlanta chapter of Black Lives Matter to pressure officials to ensure all absentee and provisional ballots are counted the newspaper reported.

Georgia State Senator Nikema Williams and several protesters have been arrested during a protest at the GA state Capitol where protesters pressured officials to ensure all absentee and provisional ballots are counted. Full story = https://t.co/jaiVkrGvvX pic.twitter.com/iFpo8U4KmK — 4ourPeople (@4ourPeople_) November 13, 2018

The group of protesters would say chants of “every vote count” while they protested. Authorities said the protest was stopped after several warnings because the protesters were violating rules by chanting and yelling while lawmakers are in session. The arrest started Monday around 1:30 PM and once the House convened in for a special session called by Gov. Nathan Deal.

Williams’ Senate colleagues condemned the Democrat detainment.

State Sen. Nan Orrock, “When a sitting senator, who is the vice chair of the state Democratic Party, is thrown into a paddy wagon at the state capitol it is a stark reminder that our right to freely assemble is at risk.”

Democratic Party of Georgia Chairman DuBose Porter said Williams was arrested “for doing her job where she works.”

“Today, (Williams) was arrested at the Georgia State Capitol while standing up for her constituents’ right to peaceful protest and advocating to count every Georgian’s vote,” Porter said. “We stand with her and with all Georgians whose Constitutional rights are at risk.“

Williams and several protesters were taken to Fulton County jail. There has been no indication on what they will be charged with at this time.

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