More people join lawsuit accusing CMPD of excessive force during protests

CHARLOTTE — More people have joined a lawsuit accusing the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department of excessive force during the local protests in the summer of 2020.

The protests happened in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

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The lawsuit was filed in 2021 over an incident captured on police body camera video.

“So we’re going to stand here and watch the show,” you can hear someone say. And then “they are all about to get gassed.”

The lawsuit accuses CMPD of “kettling” protesters, which is an orchestrated effort to seal off escape routes.

When the suit was first filed, just seven people were involved. Now, that number has grown to 68. It includes veterans, ministers, and people from at least six states.

The plaintiffs all want the suit to go to trial.

The NAACP also sued over the incident. As part of that settlement, CMPD agreed to stop the use of tear gas for crowd control and mandated officers provide escape routes.

VIDEO: Protesters hit the streets after CMPD released body cam video of kettling incident

Protesters hit the streets after CMPD released body cam video of kettling incident

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