In the past few years there have been multiple riots and backlash due to racial tensions between the police and black communities. The most recent one, in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been going on since Wednesday Night. People have been calling it a “race riot”. Police say that the protests started peacefully and by sometime around 8 pm, they started trashing cars and destroying the surrounding property. The reason for rioting is because of another shooting.

A police officer, confirmed to be Brentley Vinson, shot Keith L. Scott because he was armed and dangerous, presumed to be on medications or drugs. According to records, the man who was shot had a long criminal record. Scott’s family insists he was unarmed, but only time will tell. Also according to police, they had a video on their dash, but this was said to not be released to the public until after the investigation is over. In one video on TMZ, Keith Scott’s wife was filming from the background. You can hear her saying, “He’s not armed,” while you hear the police communicating with one another and yelling at Keith, saying,” Gun! Drop the gun!” After a minute of this, you hear gunshots and his wife says, “He better not be dead,” as police attempt to find a pulse.

During riots, SWAT and National Guard were called in because of the damage and violence happening in the streets between BLM (Black Lives Matter) members and police. It was declared State of Emergency by Governor Pat McCrory because multiple officers were injured. During protests, another man was shot, but evidence so far predisposes it as a “civilian on civilian” shooting. He is shown in the video from the NY Times video. As far as now, he is in critical condition and is on life support.

Rioting is going on night three as of September 23, 2016. According to AltRight, posted around 8 pm EST (9/23/16), the mayor is considering a midnight curfew. SWAT had to use riot gear, pepper spraying rioters blocking Interstate 227 (I-227). Along with the most recent news, apparently the gun, that the victim (Keith Scott) had, has his fingerprints on it.

Also, as reported by Fox, there is protesting now happening in Atlanta. People are marching down the streets in line and groups. So far no violence has occurred. In the livestream, you can see people holding BLM signs and holding hands.

On a personal note, it truly scares me to see young children out protesting with parents and older siblings. I see children that look as young as 5 or 6 prancing around the streets of downtown Atlanta and I nearly can’t watch because it could’ve gotten violent. Live on Fox News’ YouTube channel for Atlanta, the protests are still peaceful by 9 pm EST. They are singing and walking down the streets.

In the livestream, Black Lives Matter protesters have gathered around Martin Luther King Jr. center and a speaker stated, “I hope we will continue (I know we will continue) to raise the issue… We will not be satisfied as long as the negroes are the victims of the unspeakable police brutality…Black skin is not acquired…We are sick and tired of sisters and brothers being killed…”

I believe things will get better if we stop tearing about what we have built. Nothing good could come from smashing that car or breaking those windows. We have to unite as a country to make it better. We have to agree with each, rather than agree to disagree.

TMZ Article and Video *Warning: Explicit Language (Minimal Violence Shown)*

About the Officer

NY Times on the Riots

NY Times: Video of Riots *Mild Language and Some Violence (Minimal Shown)*

AltRight Article

Fox News Livestream: Atlanta Protests (YouTube)