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George Floyd protests in North Carolina

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George Floyd protests in North Carolina
Part of George Floyd protests
Protesters marching in Alamance County
DateMay 29 – June 24, 2020
(3 weeks and 5 days)
Location
North Carolina, United States
Caused by
Map
Cities in North Carolina in which a protest with about 100 or more participants was held (
)

This is a list of George Floyd protests in North Carolina, United States.

Protesters chanting in Chapel Hill

Locations

[edit]

Asheville

[edit]
  • May 31: Hundreds of protesters shut down parts of I-240 near the Captain Jeff Bowen bridge to protest the murder of George Floyd.[3][4]
  • June 1: Protesters gathered outside the Asheville Police Department, where they were met with tear gas. A statue of Confederate officer Zebulon Baird Vance was also vandalized.[5]
  • June 2: Video was captured of police officers destroying a city-approved medical station.[6] Officers destroyed water bottles by stomping on them or stabbing them with knives.[6] Other officers destroyed medical supplies, including bandages and saline.[7] Mayor Esther Manheimer called the incident "a disappointing moment in an otherwise peaceful evening."[7]

Beaufort

[edit]

A group of nearly 100 people gathered peacefully on the Turner Street bridge on June 2.[8]

Boone

[edit]

On June 7, over 1,000 marched from App State campus to the Watauga County Courthouse.[9]

Burnsville

[edit]

A vigil was hosted by the Yancey/Mitchell Branch of the NAACP at the town square on June 2, drawing a crowd of about 350.[10][11]

Chapel Hill

[edit]
Chapel Hill on June 3

More than 1,000 people protested peacefully on Franklin Street on June 3.[12][13] Another march took place on June 5, with many protesters wearing purple to honor Breonna Taylor,[14] and another march was held on June 6.[15]

Charlotte

[edit]
"Black Lives Matter" placard on a statue in Charlotte on June 4

Hundreds of people marched down Beatties Ford Road on May 29.[16] Some protesters threw rocks and bottles at police, smashed the windows of police vehicles and jumped on them, and stole a bike from an officer. Police used pepper spray bullets to break up the protest. Some protesters also smashed store windows and looted in the University Park Shopping Center.[17] On May 30, the protest grew and gathered in Uptown Charlotte, blocking traffic on Interstate 277 and later through the downtown district. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department fired tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowds. The city was also placed under a State of Emergency.[18] City Councilman Braxton Winston was among those arrested May 29.[19] On May 31, 1,500 more protesters in Uptown Charlotte blocked streets, threw fireworks, and assaulted police officers. 25 arrests were made.[20] Several more businesses were vandalized and looted.[21]

On June 1, approximately 200 protesters marched in Uptown Charlotte. While a demonstration at Freedom Park was peaceful, elsewhere police made reports that some protesters threw rocks and firecrackers. Officers issued dispersal orders at Church Street and MLK Street, and one arrest was made.[22] On June 2, another crowd of thousands of protesters in Uptown Charlotte threw bottles at police and blocked light rail train tracks. Police fired pepper spray and stun grenades at protesters, blocked them from Interstate 277 and ordered them to disperse. Protesters who refused to leave were met with tougher brutality as officers chased them on bikes and made one more arrest. At 11:00 pm, police armed with tear gas gave one more chase to protesters at Tryon Street.[23]

Clinton

[edit]

A peaceful march took place on Highway 24 in the heart of Clinton on May 31.[24]

Concord

[edit]

On June 13 a peaceful march was held, starting at James L. Doritos Park and continuing through parts of Concord.[25]

Dunn

[edit]

On June 4, hundreds marched to Dunn City Hall in a demonstration of peace and unity. Police officers and county officials joined with the protesters and the event remained peaceful.[26]

Durham

[edit]

About 100 protesters marched to police headquarters on May 30.[27][28] On June 1, at least 1000 people marched peacefully downtown while about 60 blocked the Durham Freeway to successfully secure a meeting with law enforcement and other officials.[29]

On June 24, three women were arrested during a protest for slowing down traffic on I-40. Drivers participating in the protest slowed their speed to 10 miles an hour for eight minutes and 46 seconds.[30]

Fayetteville

[edit]

A peaceful protest was organized for 3 p.m. on May 30. Hundreds marched down Skibo Road. Rapper J. Cole spoke to the crowd.[31] It remained non-violent until that evening, when protesters burned a U.S. flag in front of the historic Market House before vandalizing and lighting fires in it.[32] Rioters then broke into Cross Creek Mall and several businesses along Skibo Road, where damage and looting occurred.[33] Over 160 firearms were stolen from multiple gun stores during the unrest. [34]

Gastonia

[edit]

Between 350-500 people, approximately half being white and half being black, held a vigil remembering George Floyd at the Rotary Pavilion in downtown Gastonia on the evening of June 7th. The rally saw speeches delivered by both Democratic and Republican politicians emphasizing the need for change in unity, with Democratic representative Danny Caudill stating "Change happens when we come together with one voice and refuse to be silenced."[35]

Goldsboro

[edit]

A peaceful protest was held in Goldsboro on the evening of May 31 until roughly 10 pm. The protest started on Center Street before moving to the Wayne County, North Carolina courthouse and then the local police station. "Hands Up, Don't Shoot," "Black Lives Matter" and "no Justice, No Peace" were the most common chants made among protesters. No vandalism was reported.[36]

Graham on June 5

Greensboro

[edit]

Hundreds of protesters were reported in downtown Greensboro on May 30. They marched from the downtown area to I-40, forcing the closure of that interstate highway. Police reported using pepper spray after some individuals threw rocks at officers. A reporter from WFMY News also reported the use of tear gas.[37] There were reports of damage to businesses and some looting later in the evening.[38] There were no reports of injuries. The mayor enacted a city-wide curfew on Monday, June 1.[39] A virtual town hall has been scheduled for June 18 to discuss policing and law enforcement.[40]

Greenville

[edit]

Police estimated more than 1,000 people participated in a demonstration on Cotanche Street on May 31.[41] The protest later turned violent, with 31 businesses damaged, 13 police and sheriff cars damaged, two small vegetation fires set, flags overturned, and damage to the courthouse. Officers were injured by rocks and bottles that were thrown.[42] Police used tear gas to help disperse the crowd. Two individuals were arrested.[41] The city issued a curfew for the next two nights.[43]

Haw River on June 7

High Point

[edit]

Protesters blocked roads and broke glass on May 31. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.[44] On June 1, the city issued an indefinite state of emergency and a curfew.[45]

Huntersville

[edit]

A peaceful protest took place on June 7. Congresswoman Alma Adams spoke at the rally.[46]

Jacksonville

[edit]

A silent protest was held on May 30.[47]

Manteo

[edit]

Around 500 people gathered for a demonstration near the College of The Albemarle Dare campus on June 9.[48]

Morehead City

[edit]

A series of peaceful protests took place in Morehead City from 11 am to 7 pm, starting on May 31. They initially took place on Arendell Street between 6th street and 7th street and moved to Arendell Street between 10th and 11th starting June 5. The protests were organized by Black Lives Matter – Carteret County.[49][non-primary source needed] About 20–25 protesters attended on May 31.[50] On June 13, the group moved back to 7th Street and Arendell Street so that about 100 people gathered on and lay facedown for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in honor of George Floyd.[51]

New Bern

[edit]

On May 30, about 40 protesters gathered at the Walmart Supercenter to protest the murder of George Floyd.[52]

Newton

[edit]

More than 100 protesters gathered at the Newton Police Department and then marched through the small town on June 1.[53][54]

Raleigh

[edit]
Protest in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 30
Raleigh on June 2

On May 30, a peaceful protest event named "A National Day of Action — Justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and lives cut short by Raleigh and Durham police departments," was organized, with crowds gathering by the Wake County Justice Center before marching up Fayetteville Street. By 6 pm, the number of protesters had grown to around 1,000 people. Around 6:45, the protests descended into chaos as people began throwing objects at Raleigh police officers,[55] resulting in officers using tear gas and pepper spray on the crowds.[56] Officers continued to deploy tear gas through the evening. Nearly every storefront along Fayetteville street was vandalized.[55] From 11:30 p.m. on May 30 through 2 am. May 31, people looted and vandalized downtown businesses, including breaking windows and setting fires, causing police to deploy tear gas in heavier amounts. By 6 am, Raleigh police reported protests in the city had ceased. 12 people were arrested and five officers were sent to hospitals, including one with a broken jaw.[57] On June 1, the mayor of Raleigh issued a city-wide curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. in an attempt to end the riots.[58] During the curfew, employees of a gay bar who were assisting protestors and operating a first aid station in their parking lot were ordered to disperse, and when they refused, police fired flashbangs.[59]

On June 19, Raleigh had a series of Juneteenth events including marches[60] run by Truth Revealed Organization and Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law of Campbell University.[61] The night began with Kordel Davis and Truth Revealed Organization peacefully marching all over the city, including down Bragg Street and Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. As the protesters from Truth Revealed Organization and N.C. BORN converged at the North Carolina State Capitol, some protesters tied ropes around the necks of statues on the Confederate Capitol Monument.[61] A group of North Carolina State Capitol Police pepper sprayed protesters and cut the ropes, ending the attempt to topple the statues with one arrest and several police injured via being tackled by a protester, hanging from the rope, and getting pepper sprayed by other officers.[62] Protesters were eventually successful in tearing down the Confederate statues after the North Carolina State Capitol Police were given orders to retreat. After the removal of the statues, protesters hung a statue by its neck on a streetlight.[63] Conrad James of Living Ultra-Violet was charged with felony Inciting a riot in connection with the destruction of the statues on June 19.[64][65]

Rocky Mount

[edit]

On May 31, demonstrators marched in the streets, and temporarily blocked traffic at the intersection of Wesleyan Blvd and Sutter's Creek Blvd.[66]

Wilmington

[edit]

Hundreds of people gathered near historic Wilmington City Hall at 8 pm on May 31. The police arrived in fifteen minutes and by 8:45, tear gas was deployed. The mayor issued a state of emergency at 9:45. The protest was over by 10:15 with no reports of injuries or looting.[67]

Wilson

[edit]

Over 200 gathered for a protest at a Walmart store on May 31.[68]

Winston-Salem

[edit]

Hundreds of protesters marched from Bailey Park to the Winston-Salem Police Department on May 31. The crowd screamed "Mama!" while laying down in the street.[69]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Robertson, Nicky (May 30, 2020). "US surgeon general says "there is no easy prescription to heal our nation"". CNN. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Goldberg, Michelle (May 29, 2020). "Opinion - America Is a Tinderbox". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  3. ^ Barrows, Caitlyn Penter, Kari (May 31, 2020). "WATCH: Protesters take to the Captain Jeff Bowen Bridge in Asheville". WLOS. Retrieved June 1, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Thompson, David; Burgess, Joel; Lunsford, Mackensy. "Asheville protesters clash with police: 'We got on the bridge and they gassed us'". The Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  5. ^ "Asheville protests: Second day started peacefully, ended with more destruction and gun shots". Citizen Times. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  6. ^ a b King, Kimberly (June 3, 2020). "Asheville Police Chief releases statement after officers shown destroying supplies". WCTI. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Boyle, John. "Asheville protests: Mayor Manheimer wants explanation of police destruction of medical station". Citizen Times. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  8. ^ CLOUSER, ELISE (June 2, 2020). "Demonstrators in Beaufort protest against police brutality". Carolina Coast Online. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  9. ^ SPECTRUM NEWS STAFF. "Protests Remain Mostly Peaceful on Weekend of George Floyd's N.C. Funeral". Spectrum News. Charter Communications.
  10. ^ "Local NAACP Vigil". WKYK, WTOE.
  11. ^ Higgins, Jody (June 10, 2020). "Vigil for lives lost and racial justice". Yancey Common Times Journal. Vol. 28, no. 24.
  12. ^ "Over 1,000 Protesters Gather Peacefully, March on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill". Chapelboro.com. June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  13. ^ "Black Lives Matter Protest in Chapel Hill — A Photo Essay". medium.com. June 18, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  14. ^ "UNC Black Student Groups Lead March Across Campus, Through Chapel Hill". Chapelboro.com. June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  15. ^ Moyer, Dakota (June 6, 2020). "Photo Gallery: Protesters Kneel in Chapel Hill, Gather at Peace and Justice Plaza". Chapelboro.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  16. ^ Zhou, Amanda; Clasen-Kelly, Fred; Lindstrom, Lauren; Kuznitz, Alison (May 29, 2020). "Charlotte protest of George Floyd's death turns destructive". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  17. ^ "Charlotte prepares for second day of protests after demonstrations turned violent". WSOCTV.com. May 30, 2020. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  18. ^ "City of Charlotte under State of Emergency after 'civil unrest'". wcnc.com. May 30, 2020.
  19. ^ WTVD (May 30, 2020). "Charlotte city councilman among several arrested after George Floyd protest turns violent". ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  20. ^ "25 arrests in Charlotte protest, National Guard in Raleigh". The Charlotte Observer. June 1, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  21. ^ "Some Charlotte businesses left damaged in wake of Sunday protests". WBTV. June 1, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  22. ^ "Police issue dispersal orders as protests continue in uptown Charlotte Monday night". WBTV. June 1, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  23. ^ "March for George Floyd turns tense at sunset. Police order crowds to disperse". The Charlotte Observer. June 2, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  24. ^ Butler, Diondris; Howard, Hyson (June 10, 2020). "Bringing about real change together". Sampson Independent.
  25. ^ "Peaceful protest held in Concord as community calls for justice". WCNC NBC Charlotte. June 13, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  26. ^ Chapman, Bridget (June 4, 2020). "Hundreds march in protest of peace and unity walk in Dunn". CBS 17. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  27. ^ "George Floyd protest continues in Durham". CBS17.com. May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  28. ^ Stradling, Bridges and Decock (May 31, 2020). "As Raleigh exploded in violence, protests in Durham ended peacefully 'despite the hurt'". The News & Observer.
  29. ^ "Durham sheriff, police chief vow to meet with marchers after peaceful freeway protest". Herald Sun. June 2, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  30. ^ "Protesters arrested for slowing traffic on Interstate 40". Greensboro News and Record. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  31. ^ "Protests and Riots held in Fayetteville over death of George Floyd". BladenOnline.com. May 31, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  32. ^ "Market House set on fire in Fayetteville; police deploy emergency response unit". CBS 17. May 30, 2020.
  33. ^ Henderson, John. "Fayetteville police charge 55 with looting, civil unrest after George Floyd marches". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  34. ^ "Dozens of guns remain in hands of thieves after being stolen during 2020's civil unrest". CBS17.com. February 20, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  35. ^ Ellis, Kevin (June 7, 2020). "George Floyd vigil draws hundreds to Gastonia". gastongazette.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  36. ^ "Protesters March In Downtown Goldsboro (PHOTO GALLERY)". Goldsboro Daily News. June 1, 2020.
  37. ^ Hodgin, Carrie (May 30, 2020). "'No justice, no peace' | Demonstrations take over downtown Greensboro after death of George Floyd". wfmynews2.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  38. ^ "Watch Now: Rioters break windows, begin looting in downtown Greensboro". Greensboro News and Record. May 30, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  39. ^ Allman, Megan (June 1, 2020). "Greensboro enacts curfew as George Floyd protests continue". wcnc.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  40. ^ Barron, Richard M. (June 4, 2020). "Greensboro virtual town hall to discuss policing and law enforcement scheduled by city-appointed justice commission after demonstrations protesting police brutality". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  41. ^ a b WITN (May 31, 2020). "HOLTZMAN: Protesters protected officers at start of uptown violence". witn.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  42. ^ "Continuing Coverage: Violence erupts, businesses damaged following peaceful protests in Greenville". WNCT. May 31, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  43. ^ Basden, Tyler Hardin, Annette Weston and Sydney (June 2, 2020). "Greenville enacts curfew for a second night amid protests; businesses clean up damage". WCTI. Retrieved June 4, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ "High Point police use pepper spray to disperse protesters blocking South Main Street". myfox8.com. June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  45. ^ "High Point city leaders declare State of Emergency, issue curfew". myfox8.com. June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  46. ^ Chemtob, Danielle; Zhou, Amanda (June 8, 2020). "'Hands up, don't shoot.' Hundreds march peacefully around Charlotte during 10th night of protests". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  47. ^ "Peaceful protest held in Jacksonville". WNCF. June 15, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  48. ^ Puleo, Danielle (June 15, 2020). "Demonstration in Manteo addresses racial inequality". The Coastland Times. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  49. ^ "Black Lives Matter – carteret county". Retrieved June 5, 2020 – via Facebook.
  50. ^ SMITH, J. J. (May 31, 2020). "Small group of demonstrators gather in downtown Morehead City". Carolina Coast Online. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  51. ^ Clouser, Elise; Starkey, Jackie (June 13, 2020). "Morehead City demonstrators stage 'die-in'". Carolina Coast Online. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  52. ^ Wetherington, Todd. "Protest draws crowd near New Bern Walmart". New Bern Sun Journal. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  53. ^ Ohnesorge, Steve (June 3, 2020). "Police welcome community as George Floyd protest goes to Newton, N.C." wbtv.com. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  54. ^ Faherty, Dave (June 2, 2020). "'We want change': Protesters gather near Newton police station, walk through downtown". WSOC. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  55. ^ a b "Peaceful march descends into chaotic scene in downtown Raleigh". CBS 17. May 30, 2020.
  56. ^ Brosseau, Carli (May 30, 2020). "Protesters and police clash during Raleigh march to protest George Floyd's death". The News & Observer.
  57. ^ "Clean up begins after night of looting, fires and vandalism in Raleigh, Fayetteville". WRAL. May 31, 2020.
  58. ^ "Raleigh curfew begins at 8p, includes groceries, restaurants, parks". WRAL.com. June 1, 2020.
  59. ^ Brosseau, Carli (June 3, 2020). "Wake deputies defend force used against owner of Raleigh LGBTQ bar during protest". The News & Observer. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  60. ^ "Juneteenth 2020 celebrations and protests in Raleigh, North Carolina | Raleigh News & Observer". Archived from the original on July 7, 2020.
  61. ^ a b Carter, Andrew (June 23, 2020). "The rest of the Confederate statue at the NC Capitol grounds will soon be taken down". The News & Observer. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  62. ^ "Several NC officers hurt in clash with crowd that toppled Confederate monuments at State Capitol". June 20, 2020.
  63. ^ Brosseau, Carli; Leiker, Emily; Sessoms, Ben; Kasakove, Sophie; Wagner, Adam; Hajela, Ashad (June 19, 2020). "Protesters remove 2 Confederate statues from Capitol, hanging 1 from Raleigh lightpost". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina: Sara Glines. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  64. ^ WTVD (June 22, 2020). "Activist charged with inciting riot in toppling of NC Confederate monument in Raleigh". ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  65. ^ WRAL (June 22, 2020). "Wake man charged in toppling of State Capitol Confederate statues". WRAL.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  66. ^ "NC protests: Arrests at North Hills, Triangle Town Center as riots continue into early morning hours". WRAL.com. Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. May 31, 2020.
  67. ^ Haynes, Jonathan. "Updates from Sunday night's protest in downtown Wilmington". Wilmington Star News. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  68. ^ "NC protests: Arrests at North Hills, Triangle Town Center as riots continue into early morning hours". WRAL.com. Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. May 31, 2020.
  69. ^ Journal, LEE O. SANDERLIN Winston-Salem (May 31, 2020). "Hundreds of protesters march through downtown Winston-Salem". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
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