Artists are scheduled to protest at the Statehouse Monday in opposition of Gov. Nikki Haley's decision to eliminate all funding for the South Carolina Arts Commission.
COLUMBIA S.C. (WACH / AP) -- Artists are scheduled to protest at the Statehouse Monday in opposition of Gov. Nikki Haley's decision to eliminate all funding for the South Carolina Arts Commission.
Opponents of Gov. Haley's vetoes took to social media to organize a protest on the Statehouse grounds for 6 p.m. -- the day before the House returns to consider Haley's budget vetoes. The Facebook event "Rally for the Arts--Support the SC Arts Commission" shows more than 1,500 people have R.S.V.P.'d to the protest.
Two of those vetoes eliminated all money for the Arts Commission. That includes $2.4 million in state taxes for operations and local grants, as well as $1.5 million in federal funding. The governor's July 5 decision shut down the agency because the vetoes came after the fiscal year began
Event organizer Natalie Brown of Alternacirque recommended that protestors show their opposition through art.
"If you're an artist, consider making art on the statehouse ground (respectfully, please)," she wrote in the Facebook event description. "Conduct dance class on the lawn. Paint. Make music. Collaborate. Street art style."
(The AP contributed to this story)
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