George Floyd protests live updates: Here’s what to know in Charlotte on June 2

We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about local protests over the death of George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man who died while being detained by police. Protests have continued in Charlotte, Raleigh and across the country.

Check back for updates.

New protest planned

The Charlotte Mecklenburg NAACP and a group called Kidz Fed Up have called for a demonstration Tuesday at 4:45 p.m. The protest will start at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center on E. Fourth Street in uptown.

This is the fifth consecutive day Charlotte will see protests over Floyd’s killing.

Bats, poles, rocks, machetes

A fourth night of civil unrest in uptown Charlotte came late Monday, as some members of a group of protesters engaged in violence after a day of peaceful neighborhood marches, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

The protesters began gathering after sunset at the intersection of North Davidson and East Trade street for a march throughout uptown, but some began throwing rocks at police around 10:30 p.m., CMPD said in a press release.

“For the next several hours, rioters ... continued escalating their violent behavior, intending to injure officers,” CMPD said in the release. “Rioters were armed with clubs, bats, poles, rocks, bricks, machetes, a taser and shot high-powered fireworks directly at officers.”

Police used pepper spray and pepper pellets to disband the crowd, the release said.

Twenty-seven were arrested, including four found in possession of weapons. A gun, two machetes, a baseball bat and a metal pole were confiscated, police said.

“Three officers required medical attention .... Two were struck by fireworks, and one was struck in the head with a brick.”

Charlotte had two peaceful protests earlier Monday: One involving 100 people in the SouthPark area and the other with 1,500 people gathered at Freedom Park for a neighborhood march, CMPD says.

97 arrests, 11 cops hurt since Friday

Charlotte has seen 97 people arrested since Friday for involvement in violet protest activity, including teens as young as 15, CMPD said.

CMPD has reported: 15 arrests Friday; 30 arrests Saturday; 25 on Sunday and 27 on Monday.

At least 11 officers have been injured in the protests, including two struck with bricks and rocks, and two hit with exploding fireworks, CMPD has reported. One officer was examined for a broken jaw, CMPD said.

Tense City Council moment

Among those arrested on Friday was Charlotte City Council member Braxton Winston. That led to a tense moment Monday at a virtual City Council meeting.

Winston questioned CMPD’s deputy police chief, asking what he could have done differently to avoid being arrested at the protest over Floyd’s killing.

“You could have left. When the dispersal order was given, you could have left. I’m not going to try your case on this meeting. You were part of the line as officers pushed through,” Deputy Chief Johnny Jennings said.

Winston has said he went to the protest in an official capacity in hopes of de-escalating tension between the police and the citizens.

Concord police chief letter

Concord Police Chief Gary Gacek penned a joint letter May 29 with Cabarrus County NAACP President Amos McClorey, acknowledging the disturbing details of the death of Floyd, and noted what happened was not consistent with police training or professional standards.

The two leaders also called for “swift justice” in the case.

“We trust that federal, state and local officials will work cooperatively to fully and completely investigate the death of Mr. Floyd and bring justice to his family,” the two wrote in the letter posted on the police department’s Facebook page.

“We pray that calm, peaceful demonstrations may soon take place in Minneapolis, and elsewhere around the country, so that we can properly honor the life of Mr. Floyd while strongly objecting to his indefensible and unconscionable death,” the letter says.

This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 7:24 AM.