Charlotte-Mecklenburg police issued citations to 12 protesters at a Charlotte abortion clinic who were in violation of the North Carolina stay-at-home order Saturday.

CMPD said about 50 people were congregating outside A Preferred Women's Health Center of Charlotte on Latrobe Drive on Saturday. The gathering was determined to be in violation of the mass gathering directive in the state stay-at-home order.

Gatherings of more than 10 people are not permitted under the order issued by Gov. Roy Cooper.

CMPD says it asked for compliance, but 12 people refused to leave and were issued citations for Violation of Emergency Prohibitions and Restrictions.

Calla Hales, executive director of A Preferred Women's Health Center, has been tweeting that protesters have been violating the order and social distancing guidance to stay six feet apart despite the coronavirus outbreak.

All week, we’ve had protesters. Every day. Some days worse than others. But every day, in violation of stay at home orders. Most of these people are not from Charlotte- compromising multiple communities by traveling unnecessarily. #40WeeksOfHarassment #NotCounseling pic.twitter.com/pikpY9eEsJ — Calla Hales (@heyitscalla) April 4, 2020

On Monday, seven men were arrested outside A Women's Clinic of Greensboro and charged with violating the the stay-at-home order. Greensboro police said the demonstrators refused to leave when asked to do so.

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