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PHOTOS: Hundreds protest sale of Morrison YMCA

Protesters line the sidewalk to cheer and chant to save the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne from the planned sale to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026. “This is where we build our lives,” Kim Blades said. “This is where our friends are and where our kids come. It’s just sad.”
Protesters line the sidewalk to cheer and chant to save the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne from the planned sale to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026. “This is where we build our lives,” Kim Blades said. “This is where our friends are and where our kids come. It’s just sad.” Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
The Walker family protests the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
The Walker family protests the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Protesters sport custom t-shirts and signs expressing their opposition to the planned sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Protesters sport custom t-shirts and signs expressing their opposition to the planned sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Hundreds gather to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Hundreds gather to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Al Nugroho protests the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026. “We make our friends here,” Nugroho said. “This is the central point of our life.”
Al Nugroho protests the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026. “We make our friends here,” Nugroho said. “This is the central point of our life.” Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Cars honk at protesters outside the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Cars honk at protesters outside the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Joscelyne Hauserman protests the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026. “This is one of the most accepting places in Charlotte,” Hauserman said about the Y. “Everyone is welcome. Those are the principles Jesus would actually stand for.”
Joscelyne Hauserman protests the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026. “This is one of the most accepting places in Charlotte,” Hauserman said about the Y. “Everyone is welcome. Those are the principles Jesus would actually stand for.” Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Children play amidst the Morrison Family YMCA protest in Ballantyne on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Children play amidst the Morrison Family YMCA protest in Ballantyne on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Several protesters stand inside the nearby roundabout during the Morrison Family YMCA protest in Ballantyne on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Several protesters stand inside the nearby roundabout during the Morrison Family YMCA protest in Ballantyne on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Hundreds gather to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Hundreds gather to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Children protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026. The Y has a children’s center and programming.
Children protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA campus in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church on Sunday, July 12, 2026. The Y has a children’s center and programming. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Hundreds of people gathered on Sunday in south Charlotte to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA to a church.
Hundreds of people gathered on Sunday in south Charlotte to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA to a church. Chase Jordan cjordan@charlotteobserver.com
Hundreds of people gather in south Charlotte to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA to a church.
Hundreds of people gather in south Charlotte to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA to a church. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Hundreds of people gather in south Charlotte to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA to a church.
Hundreds of people gather in south Charlotte to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA to a church. Chase Jordan cjordan@charlotteobserver.com
Hundreds of people gather in south Charlotte to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA to a church.
Hundreds of people gather in south Charlotte to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA to a church. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Hundreds of people gather in south Charlotte to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA to a church.
Hundreds of people gather in south Charlotte to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA to a church. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Members of the Brundick family, from left, Saturn, Rachael and their mom, Gina, join hundreds in south Charlotte on Sunday to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA.
Members of the Brundick family, from left, Saturn, Rachael and their mom, Gina, join hundreds in south Charlotte on Sunday to protest the sale of the Morrison Family YMCA. Catherine Muccigrosso cmuccigrosso@charlotteobserver.com
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Melisssa Rodriguez
The Charlotte Observer
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