Durham, NC – Protests took place in many places in the Triangle on Friday evening as many expressed displeasure after recent acts of violence against people of color across the country.
Protesters are fueled by outrage from recent police shootings that have resulted in the deaths of minorities, including 20-year-old Daunte Wright and 13-year-old Adam Toledo.
Wright was shot dead by police officer Kimberly Potter during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, Minn. Potter claims she wanted to use her taser instead of her gun.
Toledo, a seventh grader, was gunned down by Chicago police on March 29, but bodycam footage of the shooting was not revealed until Thursday.
Crowds gathered in downtown Durham around 7:30 pm. A large crowd started at the Durham County Courthouse and then made their way to Durham Police Headquarters.
Graffiti could be seen in several areas, with clear messages aimed at authority.
WRAL’s Rosalia Fodera reports that protesters burned an American flag, while fireworks could also be heard at the Durham Police Building.
Durham protesters could be heard chanting “Justice for Daunte Wright.” In addition, some protesters have knocked down buildings and down barriers outside restaurants, including Durham Stack, Copa.
Copa owner Roberto Copa says he sided with the protesters over their political stance, but is sad that they have resorted to property destruction.
“Plates are broken, wine glasses are on the floor and that is not pleasant,” Copa said. “I personally agree with their protests, but it’s not fair to come and disrupt our businesses.”
A smaller group gathered in Raleigh to protest and march against police brutality.
Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin announced Friday night that the city had no plans to impose a curfew in response to the protests.
“There are several protests planned this weekend. I am not considering a curfew,” Baldwin said.
Protests took place in both the Governor’s Mansion and the Moore Square areas of Raleigh.
Many Raleigh business owners tell WRAL that they are closing their stores with great caution following the looting and vandalism that took place in May 2020.
Debbie Holt, owner of Clyde Cooper’s BBQ on S. Wilmington St, is one of them.
“You have to do whatever helps you sleep at night,” said Holt. “And after witnessing what we’ve been through with those riots, this reassures me, and I wish everyone could do it too, because you never know what’s going to happen.
‘When you call the emergency center, you hope someone will come to protect you. Well, that didn’t happen to me, ”she said.
In addition, Cumberland County announced on Friday that it would close its offices in downtown Fayetteville at 4 p.m. to allow workers to leave the area before possible protests begin. WRAL’s Kirsten Guttierez reports that a group of protesters outside the historic Market House began to disperse around 7:30 p.m.