Chants, rally for equality continues on ninth-day of protests in Charlotte

Published: Jun. 7, 2020 at 11:42 AM EDT
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Protesters continue to chant, march and rally together in taking a stand against police brutality and social injustice.

A rally and a walk were organized on Saturday afternoon, beginning at Freedom Park.

Hours later, another group of protesters, led by Million Youth March of Charlotte, met around near the Government Center in uptown Charlotte.

The message was -- “No Justice. No Peace.”

The leader of the group pulled two young people into the front who were part of the march and thanked them for coming and standing up.

“Your life does matter, that’s why you’re marching," the leader said.

protests in uptown Charlotte
protests in uptown Charlotte(WBTV)

Through the evening hours, protesters cheered, walked and chanted together as they marched in uptown Charlotte..

Saturday’s protests came as George Floyd was mourned in his hometown of Raeford, North Carolina, earlier in the day.

“This is what democracy looks like,” and “the people united will never be divided," were just a couple chants the demonstrators shouted.

A self-organized bike group rode in front of the group several blocks to help block traffic so police don’t have to do it.

Very few officers were around, and those who were on the streets following in the back in patrol cars.

Chants, rally for equality continues on ninth-day of protests in Charlotte
Chants, rally for equality continues on ninth-day of protests in Charlotte(WBTV)
Freedom Park protest
Freedom Park protest(WBTV)

The protests in the streets of Charlotte started more than a week ago.

People are demanding justice and equality following the death of George Floyd in police custody.

Many of the demonstrations remained peaceful, despite violent turns of some.

Saturday’s march started at Freedom Park and moved through the Park Road Shopping Center.

Police said that around midnight about 20 protesters cross Interstate 277 and stood on the shoulder. Officers approached them due to safety concerns and told them to demonstrate elsewhere, police say, but protesters became confrontational.

Officers de-escalated that situation. About 12:40 a.m., police say about 30 protesters began intentionally disrupting traffic and then surrounded a patrol car.

Jimmy Huntley, 22, of Monroe, was described by police as the “agitator” of the group. He was later arrested and charged with impeding traffic and resisting a public officer.

Jimmy Huntley
Jimmy Huntley(CMPD)

Police issued no dispersal orders and used no riot control agents during Saturday night’s protests, according to CMPD.

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