CHARLOTTE — Weeks of friction between activists and law enforcement continued Thursday and ended in dozens of arrests.
A video taken earlier in the afternoon shows Mecklenburg County sheriff’s deputies making mass arrests outside of the county jail in uptown Charlotte.
Those arrested were in a group that has been set up in front of the jail for days trying to help people as they got released.
Sheriff Garry McFadden said the group has been harassing visitors and employees outside the jail and in a release, the sheriff’s office said, “including but not limited to; spitting and banging on windows, removal of the flag, human feces in the walkway, sleeping overnight, a roaming pit bull, blocking bus lanes and pedestrian traffic, etc.”
The group denied those allegations and said they showed up to assist protesters.
By late afternoon, the sheriff’s office cleared out the area. McFadden said 43 people were arrested.
Protesters stood together even as deputies moved in, issued dispersal orders and threatened arrests. Swarms of deputies then moved in to make arrests after the protesters made it clear they weren’t leaving.
The group has been at the jail for weeks offering things, such as water bottles, snacks and bus passes for people being released from jail.
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Statement from the Sheriff’s Office following the arrests:
“Today at 10 a.m., Sheriff McFadden spoke to jail supporters outside of the Mecklenburg County Detention Center and was seeking group leadership in which no one present took ownership.
They were asked to relocate today by 2 p.m. and were offered resources from MCSO to safely aid in the removal of their property. The request came after several complaints were filed (externally and from other groups with similar interests) about the jail supporters harassing visitors, employees and impeding daily business operations of those attempting to access MCSO facilities.
Including but not limited to; spitting and banging on windows, removal of the flag, human feces in the walkway, sleeping overnight, a roaming pit bull, blocking bus lanes and pedestrian traffic, etc.
Sheriff McFadden allowed and supported the group to station there for roughly three weeks before any action was taken.
MCSO staff were given a directive to allow the group to occupy the space, have access to the building, facilitate daily trash removal and water storage if needed.
Sheriff McFadden says; “I am deeply disturbed because I support the cause of reentry into the community as it is a part of my Mission and Vision for my agency. What I cannot support is an unsafe and disruptive environment for those conducting business at MCSO facilities. I now look forward to continuing positive dialogue with members of the community as we move past this unfortunate incident.” Deputies were onsite as the group grew larger. After being asked multiple times to leave the property sheriff’s deputies began arresting those who refused to leave. A total of 43 jail supporters were arrested as a result of the incident.”
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