Charlotte clergy ‘deeply disappointed’ in police’s use of force on protesters

In a distressed letter to city officials Wednesday night, many Charlotte clergy members said they “feel betrayed” by police tactics used against protesters in recent days as residents reel from the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

There’s been a “stark contrast” between tactics deployed during the day and night by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, clergy members wrote. And clergy condemned a troubling incident from Tuesday night, when officers used chemical agents against peaceful protesters in uptown.

“A clergy member was corralled with a group marching peacefully and sprayed with an irritant that left him coughing, choked and with sunburned-like places on the little bit of skin that was exposed,” read the letter, co-signed by more than 50 clergy members. “While we understand that the evening protest groups include a range of elements, and while we understand that everyone’s safety is paramount, we are deeply disappointed over what we view to be highly-militarized and unnecessary uses of force.”

A new tone of empathy and understanding is crucial in Charlotte, clergy members said.

Charlotte is bringing in the State Bureau of Investigation to review police actions from Tuesday, city manager Marcus Jones announced earlier Wednesday. Yet clergy members wrote that city officials must “go further.”

Clergy called on Mayor Vi Lyles, Jones, City Council members and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney to denounce CMPD’s behavior on Tuesday, as well as denounce the use of tear gas and “kettling as a tactic against peaceful protesters.”

“Immediately de-escalate use of force by the police against protesters, period,” clergy wrote.

The mayor had convened a small group of clergy members last weekend, after protests Friday on Beatties Ford Road had turned destructive.

Clergy said they agreed to be visible among demonstrators “for the peace and safety of all” — and they “held up their end of the agreement.” But deeper conversations are still needed once tensions subside, clergy wrote.

“We fear that the protests may become more unpredictable without a clear acknowledgment of the errors made on June 2 and a pledge that escalation tactics like those will no longer be used or condoned,” they wrote.

In a listening session with thousands of residents Wednesday night, Lyles said CMPD knows Tuesday’s incident was “horrible.”

“Last night was one of those times that none of us can be proud of — that none of us would want to see happen in our city,” Lyles told reporters in a virtual news conference earlier Wednesday.

Putney described the video as disturbing, telling protesters tear gas would “absolutely not” be used Wednesday “if there is no violence.

The letter was signed by the following Charlotte clergy:

Rev. LeDayne Mcleese Polaski

Bishop Claude Alexander

Rev. Amy Brooks, Greenfaith

Rev. Bruce Baker Rooks, Pastor, SouthPark Christian Church

Rev. Cassandra Aline Jones, PhD

Pastor Megan Argabrite

Rev. Christy Snow

Rev. Michelle Chappell, Dilworth UMC

Rev. Nathan Arledge

Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot

Rabbi Dusty Klass, Temple Beth El

Rev. Cade Barefoot

Rev. Eve Stevens

Rev. Dr. Rodney S. Sadler, Jr.

Rev. Darryl Dayson

Rev. John Cleghorn, Caldwell Presbyterian

Rev. Glencie S. Rhedrick, Co-Chair Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice

Rev. Justin Martin, Caldwell Presbyterian

Rev. Dr. Von Clemans

Cantor Mary Rebecca Thomas

Rabbi Asher Knight, Temple Beth El

Imam John Ederer, Muslim Community Center

Rev. Greg Jarrell, QC Family Tree

Rev. Helms Jarrell, QC Family Tree

Rev. David Roberts, Watershed

Rev. Jacob Pierce, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Rev. Andrew Graham Shipley, Missiongathering Christian Church Disciples of Christ

Rev. Mary Frances Comer, Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church

Rev. Eleanor Shell

Rabbi Judy Schindler, Stan Greenspon Ctr at Queens University

Rev. Dr. Scott Hofert, Watershed

Rev. Jay Leach, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte

Rev. Willie Keaton, Mt. Olive Presbyterian

Rev. Dr. Jan Edmiston

General Presbyter, Presbytery of Charlotte

Rev. Amelia Stinson-Wesley, First United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Val Rosenquist, First United Methodist Church

Rev. Matthew M. O’Neil, Watershed

Rev. Kate Murphy, The Grove

Rev. Cedric Lundy, Watershed

Rev. Emily K. Hartner, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Rev. Sonya McAuley-Allen, Bellefonte Presbyterian Church

Rev Russ Dean, Park Road Baptist

Rev Amy Jacks Dean, Park Road Baptist

Rev Deb Blackwood, PhD, Galilee Center of East Charlotte, Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter

Rev. Joe Clifford, Myers Park Presbyterian

Pastor James Howell, Myers Park United Methodist Church

Amanda K. Robertson, Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter

Rev. Veronica Cannon; First Presbyterian Church Waxhaw

Rev. Carmen Germino, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Davidson

Rev. Floretta L Barbee-Watkins, The Avenue PCUSA

Rev. Fred Robinson

Rev. Nina Wynn

Rev. Amanda Stephenson, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Pen Peery, First Presbyterian Church, Charlotte

This story was originally published June 3, 2020 at 11:46 PM.