Protesters in Charlotte, following the death of Keith L. Scott, shot by police, released a list of demands before they would cease their efforts at civil disturbance that had led to violence. Heat Street reported that rhe “CharLIT Uprising” said the “damage is done” and Charlotte would remain in a “state of emergency” until their demands are met.
The list reads as if it came straight from the Communist Manifesto. The document reads like this:
We demand:
The ending of the state of emergency, curfew, and the removal of the national guard.
The immediate demilitarization of the police department and the immediate return of all military equipment.
The defunding of the police department and the redirecting of those resources to the needs of our communities, (including resources for jobs programs, affordable quality housing, transportation, holistic health, and quality schools.)
An independent investigation into the killing of Keith L. Scott and an investigation into the Charlotte Mecklenburg police department by the Department of Justice and a freeze on the nearly 1.5 million dollars awarded in federal grqants annually to the department.
A release of the police report and body camera footage connected with the killing of Keith L. Scott and all other killings to the public and the immediate repeal of HB. 972, which restricts the ability of the public to access police body camera footage.
The immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested in connection with the uprising connected with the killing of Keith L. Scott and the dropping of all charges.
The release of all the names of the officers involved in the killing of Keith L. Scott to the public followed by their firing, arrest, and prosecution.
Reparations for the family of Keith L. Scott and all victims of police violence as well as the families of those who have been killed.
Community control of the police, starting with the creation of a civilian oversight board that has the power to hire and fire officers determine disciplinary actions as well as dictate police policies, priorities and budgets. The board shall not include police representation and will be controlled by communities most impacted by policing and incarceration in Charlotte.
An end to the repression and targeting of protesters and all those engaged in the Charlotte uprising.
The protesters’ news section, before it was removed, wrote that civilians wounded by gunfire on the first two nights of the riots were shot by police, but did not mention the violence perpetrated by protesters, according to Heat Street.