(AP) -- Several Occupy Columbia protesters arrested last week for refusing to leave Statehouse grounds are suing Gov. Nikki Haley and state public safety officials.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Richland County says Haley, the Department of Public Safety and other state officials violated the protesters' First Amendment right to free speech.
Nineteen protesters were arrested Nov. 16 after Haley said anyone attempting to camp out on Statehouse grounds after 6 p.m. would be arrested by the Bureau of Protective Services.
A judge also granted a request to prevent officers from arresting protesters who camp out on Statehouse grounds. A December 1 hearing has been scheduled in the case.
A spokesman for the Department of Public Safety had no comment, and a Haley spokesman did not immediately return a message.
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