CHARLOTTE — Demonstrators gathered in First Ward Park to march to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department headquarters on Trade Street, demanding systemic changes following a racist text message scandal involving seven officers and the fatal police shooting of Curtis Massey.
The demonstration follows an investigation into racist text messages within the Police Department.
Six of the seven officers involved have since resigned, while one officer remains suspended with pay as a review board considers his case.
CMPD Chief Estella Patterson called for all seven officers to be fired and is seeking to revoke their law enforcement certifications so they cannot work at another department.
Demonstrators are calling for the public release of the text messages, as well as body camera footage from a Sept. 18 officer-involved shooting.
The shooting resulted in the death of 47-year-old Massey at a gas station near Interstate 77 and LaSalle Street. CMPD has petitioned a judge to release the body camera video of the incident involving Massey.
At least five groups joined the demonstration in the park, with organizers expecting upward of 200 participants during the march to police headquarters. Protesters stated the text message scandal is a symptom of a broken policing system.
Otley, a protest organizer, expressed frustration with official statements from leadership. “Talk is cheap at this point,” Otley said. “I would like to see some action. I’ve heard a lot of pretty words, empty words, so at this point I’d like to see some action.”
CMPD publicly released the names of the seven officers tied to the text messages following calls from community activists demanding transparency.
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