COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina is barring groups holding events at the State House from obscuring statues and monuments after the NAACP erected a backdrop at a rally that blocked the view of a George Washington statue.
The new rule adopted by the state Budget and Control Board requires rally organizers to promise they keep visibility and access open to monuments. The board described the new rules in a meeting earlier this week.
State NAACP leaders didn't immediately respond to questions Thursday.
Tea party activists questioned the NAACP's use of a tall, three-sided box to partly enclose a statue of Washington at the group's rally in January. The civil rights group said it was a backdrop.
State Sen. John Courson said statues and monuments need to be visible for everyone visiting the Statehouse.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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