RALEIGH, N.C. -- A rally across from the North Carolina Legislative Building has ended with nearly 50 demonstrators being cited by police for protesting in the middle of the street. 

  • Protest was held at the Bicentennial Mall.
  • Raleigh is one of 30 rally locations across the country.
  • Rev. William Barber is one of the campaign leaders.

The national Poor People's Campaign held a gathering Monday afternoon in Raleigh _ one of 30 locations nationwide where the organization began six weeks of nonviolent direct action.

Activists filed out into the middle of Jones Street where the General Assembly meets, holding hands and refusing to leave until each was led away by officers for a citation.

Police Capt. M.K. Kohr says 49 people were cited for impeding traffic by standing in the street. Police shut down one block. 

More than 200 people attended the rally, which focused on the needs of women, people with disabilities, children living in poverty and LGBT community members.

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