CHARLOTTE: 'What's Going on'

Protester in Charlotte allegedly shot by a CMPD officer.

*Update, the young man in this image, Justin Carr, has passed

away. I edited his image in respect to his family. 
(Authorities arrested a citizen for the shooting.)

 (photo by Brian Blanco for Getty Images

used under the Fair Use doctrine.)

They say Charlotte is burning... but...

Yet and still...the protests here in Charlotte have been 80-90% peaceful...the news has not told you that, nor have they given you the full detail about what actually happened last night when a protester was shot in the head (either with a rubber bullet or an actual bullet) by, according to witnesses on the scene, a CMPD officer. And that is when the powder keg exploded.

I texted with a fellow attorney and my good friend from law school last night as he made his way to the protests. 

Charlotte is reeling after the shooting of Keith Scott.

As I continued to do some work, I received a message from a college friend also in the area, who said a protester was shot by another civilian last night. It didn't make sense to me that people would be fighting with each other...but that's what the news allegedly reported. (I hadn't seen the news.) I texted my friend to see if he was alright, and he said the shooting happened right by him. He posted his account on Facebook this morning.

VC explains going to the protests in Charlotte.

VC's perspective on how riot police changed
the tone of the peaceful protests in Charlotte. 

VC's account of a protester being shot
in Charlotte last night. 

VC had a positive experience with people from all walks of life
last night at the protests in Charlotte. 

After taking part in last night’s protest, I thought it would be insightful and therapeutic to list my observations, thoughts.

• In the beginning, the protest was truly peaceful. When I first arrived, I was in awe of everything. Hundreds of people, black, white, Hispanics, Asians, men, women all standing together, for one purpose. I’m talking people embracing, exchanging ideas, consoling each other and yes, many were chanting and angry. Protesters marched from the police station to the epicenter. That’s when things turned left.  

• After leaving the epicenter and walking out onto the streets/sidewalks the police showed up in riot gear. It was like placing hyenas in a cage with lions. The entire tone of the protest changed. Protesters began yelling at the officers. Some even pushing them, mushing them in the head as they walked by. (Actions I do not agree with.) Officers must have been instructed to not react and keep walking because 99% of them just took it, and kept it moving. (which had to be tough) However, a few were not so disciplined, which is understandable. A few officers pushed back and yelled and intentionally agitated protesters. I saw one officer take someone’s poster, ball it up and throw it on the ground. (actions I don’t agree with) 

• Officers walked to the Omni, the crowd followed. The officers finally stopped, turned around and that’s when things went downhill. Mace and tear gas started flying. It was clear the Omni was going to be the safety location for CMPD. 10 minutes later, as I’m 20 feet away on the other side of officers, I hear a loud bang and see a man fall down and everyone started running and screaming. I’m on the safe side of the officers and see that the man has been shot as he stood in front of officers. His friend yells directly at the officers, “yall didn’t have to shoot him.” At the time, I thought they used rubber bullets. Officers try to assist the man by giving him medical attention. He’s later carried off.  

• From that point on it was totally destructive. Protesters face to face with officers Protesters throwing objects at officers, officers shooting tear gas, tackling a few protesters and dragging them off. 15 minutes later, protesters are back face to face with officers. Either someone would throw something or an officer would get antsy and tear gas would flow. Everyone would run then come back 15 minutes later. (thankfully, I was in a safe location, watching everything unfold) This went on and on, and on and on. It was still going on when I decided to leave. As I walked to my car, there were groups of protesters and officers on every other corner.

I walked away from it all with these thoughts• The media is dangerous. They distort everything. When I got home and turned on the news, I understood why everyone was concerned. The media’s spin on things is troubling. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t safe out there but the media made it seem like Armageddon. If a guy walked by and unintentionally bumped an officer, it would be reported “An officer was just assaulted by a rioter!” Several reports of “Rioters/Protesters blocking streets.” Again, not true. People were peacefully walking together, in the street. But yet, the media describes it as blocking streets. After the shooting, mace & tear gas, I did see a small few, angry and busting windows, trying to destroy property. All were young people. I saw older, wiser folks angrily confronted the misguided and instructing them to stop. Some even physically laying hands on people forcing them to stop. However when I turned on the tv, all I saw were broken windows. Had I not physically been there, I would have concluded that nothing positive occurred. I would have concluded that the people were all crazy and violent. The media is a major problem, seriously. Don’t believe everything you read or see on tv. 

• On that note, I saw some calling the protesters Animals. Well I stood side by side with others and I didn’t see one animal. I saw people hurting, tired, scared, upset and searching for answers. No I don’t agree with the destruction of property, but I understand the hurt, the anger. To call them animals is just not fair. However, after watching the news spin on things, I definitely understand how one could conclude that there were wild animals out there. (again, the media is dangerous)

• There’s so much misinformation and most of it is intentional. News reports say the city released a statement saying the shooting I witnessed was “civilian on civilian.” Now, I didn’t see the actual shooting. Meaning, I didn’t see the trigger being pulled. I was facing another direction. However, I was no more than 20 feet away. After the shot, I saw the man falling. No one was there when the man was shot but officers, the man and a crowd of people protesting. Immediately after he was shot, the man’s female friend yelled at the officers that they didn’t have to shoot him…..I just don’t know how this was civilian on civilian. It truly wasn’t. I don’t know what the man did, but he was not shot by a civilian. (I have video of the aftermath. There was no one chasing this lone civilian gunman)

• I have a new found respect for anyone in our armed forces. Especially those that have experienced combat. Last night I tasted mace, breathed tear gas, stood 20 feet away from gunshots, heard/saw a man get shot and experienced the continuous sounds of loud booms that made my heart jump each time. I can’t imagine being in combat. Soldiers are truly the real heroes. 

• I’m convinced, had the police not been out there, things would have remained peaceful. I’m not blaming the police. I saw actions on both sides that were shameful. But its’ almost like their presence induced the violence. It’s like when you have a victim in therapy for abuse and then their abuser walks through the door during the middle of the session. You just know it’s going to be bad. 

• My goal was to experience this moment. To take part, to assist in any way that I could. To be a part of a solution, not the problem. Overall, it was a positive experience. I laughed because as soon as I posted my status informing friends that I was marching, a gentlemen let it be known that he was unfollowing me. (didn’t know I was his leader) I was thinking “you’re upset because I’m doing something positive?????” But last night I stood with Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, Men, Women, Attorneys, Corporate people, Unemployed, Mothers, Sisters, etc. People in suits, sagging pants, no shirts, ties, etc. We didn’t see color, we didn’t see political affiliations, religion, financial status, etc . We were all standing with each other, together for one purpose. 
• Finally, thanks to all who reached out to me and were truly concerned for my well-being. I truly did not expect so many texts, messages, etc. We may not all agree on all the issues. We may not vote the same, pray the same, live the same, but we respect each other and at the end of the day, that’s what truly matters. Last night gave me a greater appreciation for people. It gave me optimism that a change can truly occur. I guess time will tell

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know I am an attorney in NC. I have also been "in the media" as a columnist, radio guest, etc. since I've moved here. Journalism is not what journalism was purported to be back in the day.

In the last few years here, we have now had two looming tragedies involving police. (Though some happened before I moved here as well.) The most prominent was the murder (and I will still call it that...yes, the case ended in a mistrial, and the prosecutors refused to retry it...so I acknowledge that as well) of Jonathan Ferrell. He was a FAMU alum and former football player who wrecked his car and was shot down by a rookie police officer while two veterans didn't even discharge their guns. (You can tell from my tone how I feel about that situation.)

Most recently we have the shooting death of Keith Lamont Scott. After the murder of Ferrell, people prayed together and were exceedingly docile. You didn't see the ramp up of riot police. But just the other day, after the killing of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, I posted on Facebook that people are tired of begging.

So my question to anyone reading this is: Are you going to keep starving yourself of moving toward justice and equality for all citizens, and stuffing yourself with the red meat of hatred and disenfranchisement of others? Will you stay on the sidelines talking bad about the people who are telling you they are in pain?

'We are all in this together' sign held at protest in Charlotte.
photo by V. Cloud (used with permission)

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