Durham, NC – Protests took place on Friday night in many places around the Triangle, as many expressed their displeasure after recent acts of violence against people of color across the country.
Protesters are fueled by outrage over the latest police shootings that killed minorities, including 20-year-old Daunte Wright and 13-year-old Adam Toledo.
Wright was fatally shot by police officer Kimberly Potter during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Potter claims he wanted to use his taser instead of the gun.
Toledo, a seventh-grade student, was shot dead by Chicago police on March 29, but footage of the shooting was not revealed until Thursday.
Crowds gathered in downtown Durham around 7:30 p.m. A large crowd began at the Durham County Courthouse and headed to the Durham Police Department headquarters.
They could be seen painted on various surfaces, with clear messages addressed to the authority.
Rosalia Fodera, of WRAL, reports that protesters burned an American flag, while firecrackers could also be heard near the Durham police department building.
Durham protesters could be heard singing, “Justice for Daunte Wright.” In addition, some protesters demanded buildings and tore down barriers outside restaurants, including Durham Cup basics.
The owner of the Cup, Roberto Copa, says he is on the side of the protesters for their political stance, but it is sad that they have resorted to the destruction of property.
“The plates are broken, the wine glasses on the floor and that’s not nice,” Copa said. “Personally, I agree with their protests, but it’s not fair to come and bother companies.”
In Raleigh, a smaller group gathered to protest and march against police brutality.
Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin announced Friday evening that the city had no plans to establish a curfew in response to the protests.
“There are several protests planned this weekend. I’m not considering a curfew,” Baldwin said.
The protests took place in both the Governor’s Mansion and Raleigh’s Moore Square areas.
Many Raleigh business owners tell WRAL that they are embarking on their stores with great caution, following the looting and vandalism that took place in May 2020.
Debbie Holt, owner of Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue in S. Wilmington St, is one of them.
“You have to do what will help you sleep at night,” Holt said. “And after witnessing what we went through with those riots, that puts me at ease and I wish everyone could do the same, because you never know what’s going to happen.
“When you call 911, wait for someone to come and protect you. Well, that didn’t happen to me,” he said.
In addition, Cumberland County announced Friday that it would close its offices in downtown Fayetteville at 4 p.m. so workers could leave the area before possible protests begin. Kirsten Guttierez of WRAL reports that a group of protesters in front of the historic Market House began to disperse around 7:30 p.m.