16 Arrested at S.C. Rally for Poor People

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A week after police made 16 arrests at a rally in support of poor people, protesters are back for a second week of mobilization and more arrests in South Carolina.

Nearly 60 people gathered Monday at the African American Monument on the Statehouse grounds for the Poor People's Campaign, an initiative inspired by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s movement to empower those living in poverty. Police made over a dozen arrests Monday.

Organizers said the purpose of this week's rally was to connect the importance of voting rights and democracy to issues of poverty and economic justice.

Event coordinator Kerry Taylor says South Carolina has election problems, including gerrymandering and a lack of opponents to run against incumbents.

Organizers plan another four weeks of mobilization.