Dozens Arrested Protesting "Bathroom Bill" - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2

Raleigh, NC — (WRAL) North Carolina lawmakers returned to Raleigh Monday night to formally begin their 2016 legislative session, but only after a day of sound and fury over action the lawmakers took a month ago.

Authorities said 54 people were arrested during a House Bill 2 protest at the Legislative Building that attracted hundreds of people to an earlier sit-in. The law, which was enacted last month, prevents discrimination protections from being extended to gay and transgender people and prohibits transgender people from using the public bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.

Protesters prayed, sang civil rights songs and listened to exhortations from Rev. William Barber, state president of the NAACP, as they loudly called for a repeal to the law.

“This movement is the people’s movement,” Barber told cheering supporters. “When it comes to fighting homophobia and fear, we shall not be moved. When it comes to protecting workers, we shall not be moved.”