Police arrested state NAACP President the Rev. William Barber and three others Tuesday evening after the group staged a 1960s-style sit-in that disrupted a Wake County school board meeting.

The group was protesting plans by the school board’s majority to eliminate busing and move closer to a neighborhood-based school assignment plan, according to the News & Observer of Raleigh. Critics say such a move would return the state’s largest school district to the racially segregated day before the Civil Rights Movement.

The protest began, according to published reports, when Barber and others refused to give up the microphone during a public comment period. School board leaders then called a recess and adjourned to another room.

During the break, the protesters, vowing to be arrested if necessary, sat in the board members’ seats and began singing.

"We are here for a nonviolent act of conscience," Barber was quoted as saying. "Like a tree planted by the water, we shall not be moved."

In addition to Barber, also arrested were: Duke University professor Tim Tyson, author of Blood Done Sign My Name; Mary D. Williams, an local activist and Wake schools parent; and Nancy Petty, senior minister of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church.

The protesters were charged with second-degree trespassing and quickly released, promising to appear at their July court dates, according to the N&O.
 

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