Reject use of chemical agents. CMPD must not let protest mistake happen again.

CMPD, reject use of chemical agents

Despite CMPD officers’ overall good record, they failed us Tuesday night. Video shows protesters behaving well when scores of officers closed in from both directions.

With hundreds of citizens tightly corralled on Fourth Street, officers released flash bangs, tear gas, and pepper balls into the trapped crowd.

This is not what our respected CMPD stands for, and it must never happen again. Tear gas must be rejected for crowd control, particularly now when coughing and retching from tear gas can spread COVID widely.

The phrase “all lives matter” rings hollow when we fail to show that black people’s lives really are included. Strong protests of George Floyd’s death help us affirm that all lives do matter. Please don’t blow it with violent response, dear officers.

Ayya Sudhamma, Charlotte

Don’t be so quick to condemn police

Regarding “CMPD use of chemical agents to be reviewed by SBI,” (June 4):

I don’t know why the CMPD used chemical agents Tuesday night, nor does anyone else at this point. Those local leaders calling out CMPD, please stop the knee-jerk condemnation and consider that in recent days in several cities the police did not use chemical agents and were pelted with rocks, bottles, and bricks. Several officers in New York City alone had teeth knocked out and a sergeant received serious injuries that required several surgeries after being run down by a hit-and-run driver. The duty to protect and serve is always tempered by self-preservation.

Joseph Salerno, Charlotte

Understand what’s behind the looting

To those struggling with current looting and destruction: Your reaction to watching shops and streets busted and burned — disgust/disappointment/disgrace — does not compare to the feeling black Americans experience as police kill someone in their community without consequence.

White people ignore police brutality as privilege dictates they can. Those with authority are not held accountable for their actions. Racial injustices are not the result of a broken system; they are a product of the system’s founding objective: to oppress, segregate, uphold inequality.

When looting makes you uncomfortable, don’t dismiss its motivations. Sit with that discomfort. What brings people to this breaking point? The answer should outrage you. You must choose where to direct that energy. From one white person to another — please choose wisely.

Heather Dube, Charlotte

A new level of accountability

Regarding police brutality: We need a new level of accountability for police officers. Other professionals carry private liability insurance to protect the public from bad actors. I believe we should require this of officers. Officers with infractions would pay more until they become uninsurable and unemployable. Insurers will require training and standards for the workforce and will manage the rates according to the risk. Insurers would make payouts instead of taxpayers. We can no longer afford business as usual.

Michelle Carr, Charlotte

Help repeal NC monuments law

White folks, want to stand for racial justice? A simple step would be to help repeal Chapter 100, the N.C. law that prevents the removal of Confederate memorials. This law was passed by a our Republican legislature and signed into law by then-governor Pat McCrory with the specific intent of protecting memorials erected to honor Jim Crow and the Confederacy.

How do we do this? In the upcoming election, let repeal of this law be the litmus test for your vote. If a candidate voted for this law, do not vote for them. Eliminate this obvious and embarrassing slap in the face to our black citizens.

Robert Herrin, Charlotte

Cooper is causing NC to lose income

I just want to thank Gov. Roy Cooper for the loss of income to the Charlotte area caused by the loss of the RNC convention. To add this blow to the COVID overreaction that is destroying our health, hospitality and service industries is a mighty accomplishment indeed. Don’t let the door to the mansion hit you on your way out.

Tim Fagan, Charlotte

Cooper is saving NC from the shark

The decision whether to hold an unrestricted Republican National Convention in Charlotte reminds me of the movie “Jaws.” Gov. Roy Cooper is Chief Brody, Donald Trump is Mayor Vaughn, COVID-19 is the shark, and Charlotteans are the beach-goers. Chief Brody wants to protect the public by restricting access to the beach because danger is lurking. Mayor Vaughn wants the beach to be wide open for his own self-interests and doesn’t care how many victims the shark claims. Thank you Chief Brody for protecting us.

Arnie Grieves, Charlotte

This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 2:56 PM.