Local News

Rev. Barber: Charlotte protests are 'needed and justified'

The NAACP has been outspoken in its calls for changes in the way African-American communities are treated by police and Sunday in Goldsboro, members gathered to discuss a broad spectrum of tensions.

Posted Updated

GOLDSBORO, N.C. — The NAACP has been outspoken in its calls for changes in the way African-American communities are treated by police and Sunday in Goldsboro, members gathered to discuss a broad spectrum of tensions.

Just before the meeting, which started at about 5:30 p.m., Rev. William Barber said the angst and frustration being seen across the country and in North Carolina are justified.

Barber said he and many other aligned with the NAACP are not pleased with the recently released police footage of the events leading up to Scott’s death nor are they convinced his shooting was justified. He said the protests in Charlotte are neededand justified and that he and other leaders and supporters of Scott’s family are asking for a federal investigation.

“We don’t know what happened. We are still unclear even with the tapes, so what we’re saying is we have to have now all of the information released,” Barber said. “Those are public documents; they belong to the citizens, our tax dollars paid for them. We have to have a full, thorough and impartial investigation.”

Barber and members of the North Carolina NAACP plan to join the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County NAACP and local clergy for the Unity Rally for Justice and Transparency Monday at 6 p.m. in Marshall Park.

Sunday’s meeting was planned long before the events that unfolded in Charlotte following the death of Keith Lamont Scott. The event was originally about, and still focused on, making sure NAACP members and partners mobilized to register people to vote. Barber said that voting is fundamental for the change the organization and its members want to see.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.