Break your silence and start helping CMPD solve the Juneteenth mass shooting

Stop blaming police, start helping

Regarding “No witnesses come forward in mass shooting,” (July 24):

Surely, there is someone out of the hundreds of people at the Beatties Ford Road Juneteenth party who knows something that will help police find the guilty parties. But all I hear is people blaming the police and silence from those at the party.

When you’re not part of the solution, you become a part of the problem.

By remaining quiet, the victims are acquiescing to shooters who perpetrate these crimes. Someone needs to have the courage to stand up and say, “Enough is enough.” Silence equals more of the same.

Hughie Sexton, Weddington

Support those who’ll address gun violence

On Saturday night in Charlotte another heart-breaking murder occurred. This time it was a beloved grandmother, mother and friend lost to senseless gun violence.

We are approaching the most important election of our lifetime. I beg you to consider how many Americans fear for their lives every day, and to vote for candidates who’ve pledged to address gun violence. Please make sure you are registered to vote and support candidates from both political parties who will help us all to lead better, safer lives.

We have enough grieving families.

Anne Miller, Charlotte

Police reforms need further analysis

Charlotte NAACP president Corine Mack recently said she wants:

▪ “More money from the police budget for social services” Nice thought, but it could mean less protection for citizens against law breakers.

▪ “End choke-holds.” This would mean less safety for officers and a greater likelihood they might need to use other weapons to subdue someone.

▪ “End chemical munitions used in protests.” The chemicals are less-lethal. If their use were ended police would only have clubs and weapons for defense, both of which could be lethal.

▪ End “no-knock” warrants. Criminals would love this as it’d give them time to flush drugs or escape.

I think Mack wants protesters to be safe, but she should analyze all the potential results first.

Bob Mays, Stallings

Kudos to BofA for Year Up program

At last, a front-page story that doesn’t make me want to weep or throw things. Thank you, Bank of America, for bringing the Year Up program to Charlotte. (July 27) Even more thanks for helping to increase economic mobility for area residents. All too often, poverty simply produces more poverty. While there is no one answer, the Year Up program is a beginning.

Melva Hanna, Charlotte

Trump chooses to be a small man

Rep. John Lewis lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda, the first Black lawmaker to do so. Essentially every public official has paid his or her respects to him there save one, Donald Trump, the person who is supposed to be the leader of our nation. Trump has shown on many occasions how small and petty he can be. He became smaller when he refused to pay homage to such a paragon of integrity and character.

Joel Miller, Hickory

Put two names on the Selma bridge

Concerning the possible renaming of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, why not change the name to the Edmund Pettus/John Lewis Bridge, demonstrating that save today’s remnant of white supremacists America has progressed from immortalizing KKK Grand Dragons to recognizing the courage and sacrifice of their victims?

Robert Currie Jr., Laurinburg

So now Sen. Berger sees the light?

So now Sen. Phil Berger thinks it’s the in-person instruction that will provide N.C. students a basic education to help them advance up the socioeconomic ladder.

Yet, he and his cronies in the legislature did nothing to provide critical investments in education that were obviously needed prior to the pandemic. He wasn’t worried about children being stuck in poverty and robbed of the opportunity when he was advocating tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations.

Berger now claims education is the most important intervention to improve the condition of one’s birth. But he has refused to listen to parents and educational groups pleading for extra funds to meet tremendous needs in high poverty and rural schools across the state.

Lucille Howard, Charlotte

Lucky to have these 2 NC governors

Thank you, former Gov. Jim Hunt, for your July 28 Opinion piece. The people of our great state are so lucky to now have another caring governor. Gov. Roy Cooper looks after the health and safety of the citizens, ignoring President Trump’s threats.

Trump wants the state and schools open — with virus rates at their highest. Cooper should continue to hold his ground and do what is right for the entire state.

Lila Doliner, Charlotte