RALEIGH -- On a day that promised political drama about the dismantling of the Wake County schools diversity policy, about a thousand people took to the streets in the sweltering heat for a march and rally that culminated in arrests reminiscent of the civil rights era.

The opposition to the school board majority, which has scrapped the policy of busing for diversity in favor of neighborhood-based schools, attracted religious leaders, students, parents, labor organizers and others from the Triangle and beyond. They framed the issue as a step backward to a time when schools were segregated.

A few hours after the late-morning march and rally, the school board, which was not scheduled Tuesday to take up items directly related to the majority's neighborhood-schools strategy, was stymied by the crescendo of criticism and the disruption of chanting protesters.

By day's end, 19 people were arrested, all of them either outside or inside the administrative building on Wake Forest Road where the school board held its meeting. Among those charged were two rally organizers: the Rev. Nancy Petty of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church and state NAACP Chairman the Rev. William Barber, both accused of second-degree trespassing.

The march and rally on Fayetteville Street, downtown blocks rich with history just beyond the state Capitol, strongly echoed the 1960s-era clergy-led civil rights marches with placard-waving, hymn singing and arrests for civil disobedience.

But Congress headed home for a two-week recess withoutappropriating the money, and the farmers are frustrated that the agreement's March 31 deadline was not met. The White House and congressional leaders say they want to pay the restitution, but farmers in the case say the government has been slow to deliver.

"The administration announced this settlement like this was all over, but we haven't gotten a dime," said John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association. "Right now, it's planting time, and we thought we would have the funds in time for this season."

Boyd said he is sure the government and the farmers will be able to agree on an extension to the settlement, which compensates black farmers who were unfairly denied farm operating loans. But he is worried that with a tight budget and busy schedule, the farmers' case -- known as Pigford -- will continue to be overlooked when Congress returns.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack sent letters last month to congressional leaders, who have been embroiled with health care legislation, asking them to appropriate money for the settlement, and said this week that resolving cases of discrimination is a department priority.