Attorneys for Occupy Protesters, SC Head to Court

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Attorneys for Occupy Columbia protesters and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley are scheduled to appear in federal court to determine whether the protesters can continue their around-the-clock demonstration on Statehouse grounds. A hearing is set for Wednesday in Columbia before Judge Cameron McGowan Currie. Arguments are expected to take 90 minutes to two hours. Seven of 19 protesters arrested Nov. 16 for trespassing sued Haley and public safety officials, arguing their First Amendment rights were trampled when they were arrested for demonstrating on public property. A circuit judge granted a temporary restraining order allowing Occupy Columbia to resume its 24-hour protest without threat of arrest. An extension of that order ends Thursday evening. Currie could decide to extend the order through the case’s outcome, modify it, or let it expire.