By Associated Press
Greensboro AL – Two women pleaded not guilty to voter fraud charges in Hale County during a hearing that drew more than 200 supporters.
The crowd applauded Friday as Rosie Lyles and Valada Paige Banks entered their pleas.
Outside the courthouse, many held hands in a circle, where they sang and prayed, The Tuscaloosa News reported in a story Saturday.
About half wore shirts that read "Greensboro 2: Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere."
A Hale County grand jury indicted Banks, 44, and Lyles, 67, in August. They were charged with second-degree possession of a forged instrument an absentee voter affidavit with the knowledge that it was forged and four counts of promoting illegal absentee voting.
Second-degree possession of a forged instrument is punishable by one to 10 years in prison and a fine of up $5,000. Promoting illegal absentee voting is punishable by one to two years in prison and a fine between $500 and $2,000.
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Information from: The Tuscaloosa News, http://www.tuscaloosanews.com