Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

Charlotte uprising demands justice for Keith Lamont Scott

By Noah Killough

Uprising in response to police killing in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, NC – On the night of Sept. 21 protesters gathered in uptown Charlotte for the second night of militant protests after the murder of Keith Lamont Scott by Charlotte police (CMPD). Protesters called for the arrest of the officers involved and an end to police crimes in the city.

Protesters first pushed up Elizabeth Avenue after a short demonstration in front of the CMPD headquarters. They then occupied the Epicentre shopping and entertainment complex. The protesters reached as far as the Omni Hotel until an African American man was shot in front of riot police. Some protesters at the scene say they saw the police shoot the man. When the shot was fired the only guns visible were in police hands.

“They won’t stop killing us!” a protester shouted shortly after.

Then riot police used tear gas and rubber bullets to continue to push the protesters back down Elizabeth Avenue. People then spread out across the city and some briefly occupied a portion of Interstate 277.

Throughout the night the police escalated the situation, taking advantage of calm breaks in the protest to shoot tear gas and rubber bullets. Before the end of the night, police arrested 44 protesters.

Despite the deployment of North Carolina National Guard troops to Charlotte, protests will continue until there is justice for Keith Lamont Scott.

#CharlotteNC #PoliceBrutality #CharlotteRebellion #KeithLamontScott