On Saturday night, a 'Human Rights Fest' took place in Uptown Charlotte, NC. Loud, head-banging music filled the streets at Trade and Tryon- starting at 8pm. The organizers of the event had a permit to perform at Trade and Tryon Streets, but when police got several complaints because the music was so loud- the concert was shut down.
Police responded to the noise violation and stopped the music around 11:00 pm- a move that didn't go over well with some of the concert-goers. Just minutes after police shut down a party things got out of control. Officers were outnumbered 20 to 1. They immediately called for backup units- who converged on the Square of Trade and Tryon and started making arrests.
5 people were arrested and police had to use a taser on one of people in the unruly crowd. WSOC-TV reported that they spoke with people today and they say recent problems with big events Uptown make them think twice about coming here, and say it needs to be a little more secure. I think they are right!
Last night's event was sponsored by the Action Center for justice. According to the ACJ website, the event was to support the following causes:
- Stop the Criminalization of the Poor! - No Profiling & harassment!
- Free The Cuban Five, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Leonard Peltier & All Political Prisoners!
- Occupation is a Crime: Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine...
One of the ACJ members posted a blog entry at a website called 'Charlotte Bill of Rights Defense committee.' He/She claims the group was brutally attacked without cause by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. One person claimed, "It actually appeared the cops were trying to provoke the crowd and incite a riot.”
The group has even gone so far to start an online petition to defend the "Charlotte 5" or the 5 people arrested at the event: David Crane, Joshua Lane, Edward Auer, Johnathan Moss, and Brandon Magness.
