CHARLOTTE -- It got emotional for some kids speaking at Charlotte City Council recently, as they voiced concerns about how police treat the black community.
Zianna Oliphant's emotional plea Monday to council members and Mayor Jennifer Roberts went viral as she asked for city leaders to act.
Her mother, Precious Oliphant, said her daughter's speech was not rehearsed or planned, and was not meant to spread hate.
"If I instill hatred in my kids heart, we would not be any better than the ones slandering us now. We don’t hate the police, we hate how we are treated by the police. That’s horrilbe that we have to teach our children to protect themselves against the people that are supposed to protect and serve us,” said Oliphant.
Allowing kids to voice their concerns with such a heated topic publicly is vital, says psychotherapist, Dr. Russell Hancock.
"We tend to minimize what kids are going through, but having children speak on something thats so much in their backyard that is so much apart of their lives right now I think is so beneficial for all of us,” said Hancock.
Precious says their family has not lost anyone at the hands of police, but they felt the need to get involved for those who have.
She says this is about more than just the killing of Keith Scott.
Time Warner Cable News reporter Alex Peterson has more.