GRAHAM, N.C.: A get-out-the vote rally that ended with North Carolina police pepper spraying and arresting attendants was the result of participants blocking the roadway without authorization, authorities said Saturday.
Graham police said they issued several warnings to the crowd at Alamance Countys courthouse to move from the roadway before releasing pepper spraying and later arresting eight people.
A press release from the department said the march organized by Reverend Greg Drumwright didn’t have permission to block traffic. Drumwright initially asked police and the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office if authorities could block the roadway for the rally members, but that request was never completed because Drumwright missed the deadline,” Graham police said.
Police said attendees paused in the roadway for about nine minutes, creating traffic back ups in all directions around…