NORTH CAROLINA – Eight days after the death of George Floyd, who was born in North Carolina, protests continue across the United States and around the world.
Major North Carolina cities have seen protesters take to the streets day and night for several days. Many cities enacted curfews for the safety of officers and protesters after violence erupted in Greensboro, Raleigh, and Charlotte. Charlotte has not put a curfew in place as of Wednesday.
Wedneday, June 3, protesters lined the streets of Chapel Hill around 1 p.m. at McCorkle Place. Protesters then began to march down Franklin Street. Easily more than 1,000 people gathered for this peaceful protest. Organizers worked with police to ensure the safety of all those involved.
In Charlotte, people gathered at Myers Park High School around 3:30 p.m. for a march leading to South Park mall. The protest ended around 5 p.m. with no incidents of violence. Protesters took a knee for nine minutes in honor of George Floyd. The officer who had been assisting with the demonstration also took a knee and several other officers bowed their heads.
Protests remained mostly peaceful into the late night hours. A few water bottles were thrown and fire crackers were set off, but there have been no reports of rubber bullets or tear gas. Crowds tried to march into the I-277 exit ramp, but CMPD blocked the entrance.
Charlotte: Reporters Courtney Davis and Estephany Escobar are on scene.
11:40 p.m.
Protesters continue to march through Uptown. Spectrum News on scene reporters are heading home.
11:32 p.m.
People continue to try and march on the I-277 exit ramp. CMPD created a line to keep protesters off.
11:27 p.m.
Loud "booms" go off. Protesters try to de-escalate other protesters' actions in order keep the peace.
11:19 p.m.
CMPD says protesters have begun to throw water bottles at officers.
11:17 p.m.
Protesters made their way to the I-277 ramp. CMPD met them there and blocked their entry. A firecracker was set off, igniting the first unrest of the night.
11:04 p.m.
The crowd takes a knee at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on McDowell Street. The crowd remains at least 200 people and they are active.
10:53 p.m.
Protesters stop on Davidson Street. One protester encouraged another to remain peaceful or they will have to face tear gas and rubber bullets.
10:49 p.m.
Protesters are making their way down 3rd Street towards the government center.
10:45 p.m.
Protesters take a knee outside of the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS).
10:24
Protesters made their way to N. Tryon Street. The crowd remains large and active, but peaceful.
10:19 p.m.
Protesters march down College Street, still peaceful. The crowd has thinned from earlier, but large amounts of people are still on the move.
10:13
The crowd has united and is marching down 3rd Street, away from Romare Bearden Park.
10:09 p.m.
The crowd has split into two groups. One group wants to march on and the other wants to remain at Romare Bearden Park.
9:58 p.m.
Peaceful protests at Romare Bearden Park are on going.
8:38 p.m.
Protesters are gathered outside the Spectrum Center and are peaceful.
8:19 p.m.
Protesters are continuing to march through Uptown. Many being met with honks and claps as they pass.
8:00 p.m.
CMPD Chief Kerr Putney addresses a crowd of protesters outside the Government Center in Uptown. When asked about whether tear gas would be deployed tonight, Putney responded by saying not unless there is violence. The crowd responded with boos.
7:23 p.m.
Protesters are now at the government center. Lyles is speaking to the crowd and says the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department knows the incident that happened on 4th Street last night is "unacceptable".
6:45 p.m.
After hundreds gathered outside of a council meeting, protesters and City Council members alike are marching together in Uptown towards Epicentre. After the crowd chanted "walk with us, walk with us", Mayor Vi Lyles is marching with protsters, leading seas of people.
4:50 p.m.
Protesters are heading back to Myers Park High School.
4:29 p.m.
Protesters take a knee for nine minutes of silence to honor George Floyd. An officer assisting with this protest has also taken a knee. Other officers have bowed their heads in solidarity.
4:23 p.m.
Protesters stop in the street at Morrison Blvd. by Sharon Road. They are chanting "hands up, don't shoot". The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are monitoring the situation.
4:17 p.m.
Protesters turn onto Sharon Road. More car honk their horns, and neighbors and shoppers are taking photos and clapping. Protesters are chanting "this is what democracy looks like" and "hands up, don't shoot".
4 p.m.
Protesters are met by neighbors handing out water bottles and cars honking their horns showing support on Colony Road.
3:56 p.m.
Protesters started making their way to South Park mall. Officers are encouraging them to stay on the sidewalks and out of the street. This protest was intended for youth to make their voices heard. Approximately 200 teens have gathered.
3:30 p.m.
Protesters are gathering at Myers Park High School. They say they plan on marching through the neighborhoods to South Park mall. About 50 people are out so far, but there is still some time for people to come out.
Chapel Hill: Reporter Chris Williams is on scene.
3 p.m.
The protest finished. There were no disruptions and the demonstation remained peaceful.
2:10 p.m.
Protesters start their march down Franklin Street. They are chanting "hands up, don't shoot"
1 p.m.
Protesters gather at McCorkle Place at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Many are armed with signs as they prepare to march.
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