Dozens arrested at ultrasound rally, detained for hours

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Many of the protesters arrested at the Capitol were detained for hours in Richmond Police buses Saturday night.

Our cameras were on the scene of Leigh and 9th Street where the men were held in one bus, the women in another. Outside, more protesters gathered.

We spoke with one man who was processed and released, charged with unlawful assembly and trespassing.

Delegate Delores McQuinn (D - 70th District) showed up to show her support for the protesters as well.

The day ended with more than 30 arrests.

Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - It started as another peaceful protest to the controversial bill that would require a woman to have an ultrasound before having an abortion.

Roughly 500 people gathered around the bell tower, many with signs and others with red bands around their arms.

Molly Vick has been protesting for two weeks straight.

"These bills would set us back so many years, we're talking about so much more than just one issue here," said Vick. "We're setting precedents of letting the government decide what someone has done medically."

The permit to gather at the Capitol ended after an hour so the protesters filed out of Capitol Square and hit the streets.

Many of the protesters left the steps after police asked them to get down. But then some sat down and refused to leave.

Police gave several warnings, telling the protesters to leave or face arrest.  Some of the protesters pleaded for them to get down but with no luck.

Minutes later police made good on their threat.  State troopers in riot gear filed in while other officers arrested the protesters on the steps taking many of them kicking and screaming.

Lou Collier avoided getting arrested, but he was furious to see his fellow protesters led away in cuffs.

"I'm ashamed to live in the state if this is the response to people disagreeing with a legislative movement,  it's shameful," said Collier.

Somewhere between 30-35 people were arrested.

Capitol police officers on scene say they will all likely face unlawful assembly charges, a class one misdemeanor.

A revised version of the ultrasound bill has passed both the House and Senate.

The latest version does not require a transvaginal ultrasound, but an external one.

Governor Bob McDonnell is expected to sign the bill into law.

Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.