Protesters feed homeless on 13th night of demonstrations in uptown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For nearly two weeks, Charlotte has seen thousands of protesters come together on a mission to push for change and equality, but Wednesday’s mission was a little different.

Mario Black of the Million Youth March organized the protest and while there was a law enforcement reform theme, they also addressed another societal problem -- homelessness.

“It’s showing our less fortunate community that we do care about them, and we love them. We see them,” Black said.

The group marched peacefully from Marshall Park to College Street and headed toward Interstate 277 stopping at the Hal Marshall Center to hand out water and food to the homeless who normally hang out there.

“Often times we look at the law enforcement side of things but we have a whole community out here who needs support so this one here hits a little different,” protester Lezlie Briggs said.

Protester Sarah Towner was excited to be a part of history. She wore a face mask as she marched besides her fellow demonstrators.

Health experts said that COVID-19 is still a threat and they urge anyone who has joined a mass gathering to get a test.

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"It has been a thought of mine; Do I plan to do it? I will once I slow down,” Briggs said.

A lot of protesters echo that sentiment, but health officials said the time is now.

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Teen protester learns life lesson from fellow demonstrator Teen protester learns life lesson from fellow demonstrator

Relatively quiet night in uptown as marches continue for 13th straight day

Wednesday marked the 13th day of protests in Charlotte following the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis.

At about 5 p.m., a group of approximately 150 people gathered at Marshall Park for a food drive. At 6:15 p.m., those demonstrators marched through the uptown area, delivering food to two separate locations. The group then marched to Romare Bearden Park, joining a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m.

Around 11:20 p.m., CMPD said a group of 20 protesters illegally walked onto I-277 at the 4th Street ramp and moved construction barrels and cones from the roadside and placed them across the roadway to deliberately block traffic. Police said at least 70 vehicles, including a Charlotte Fire Department fire engine, were blocked. When police arrived, the protesters fled, and the roadway was cleared within six minutes.

By 11:30 p.m., officers, with the help of a motorist, had removed the debris from the roadway and traffic was flowing freely.

Police said five suspects were arrested. Katherine Jean Wolff, Michael Scott Howard, Brandy Nicole Webb, Kristie Puckett Williams and Gloria Merriweather, were all charged with impeding traffic.

Protests remained lawful throughout the day, no officers were injured, no dispersal orders were issued and there was no use of Riot Control Agents (RCA).

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