COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Occupy Columbia protesters are back at the Statehouse with several tents as emergency regulations barring their around-the-clock presence expired.
Protesters returned Wednesday, saying they'll seize the opportunity to remind legislators they want laws that help South Carolinians.
The Senate approved a bill last week blocking their return. Gov. Nikki Haley on Wednesday urged the House to act quickly.
The measure bans camping and sleeping around the state capitol. It has the same wording as an emergency regulation adopted in December by the Budget and Control Board.
But emergency regulations expire in 90 days. That was Sunday. Regulations created through the normal process won't be in place for several weeks.
Occupy Columbia began its 24-hour protest Oct. 15. Protesters dispersed Dec. 23 after a federal judge validated the emergency regulations.
