Raleigh, N.C. — Protests fired up again in downtown Raleigh Saturday as many voiced their displeasure after recent acts of violence toward people of color around the country.
A crowd of around 100 people gathered and marched near the Governor's Mansion, chanting "Black lives matter" and "power to the people."
Police could be heard over bullhorns telling the protesters to disperse out of the street or they would be subject to punishment.
At one point, protesters stopped at the Capitol building to share their stories and encounters with police. Some protesters became emotional as they spoke.
“It could be anyone of us, man, and I’m scared. I’m just scared for my kids,” said one protester.
Things remained peaceful but there was a small incident where a bystander says he was harassed after he stopped riding his bike to record the protest.
“I was just video taping on the corner and they told me to put my phone down and ... that’s anti-democratic," the bystander, Taylor Cuthrell, said. "I don’t feel like that’s what they’re about, that’s hurting their cause. I don’t want police to be bad either.”
Raleigh businesses spent much of Saturday preparing for the potential for a large group gathering tonight.
This comes one day after protests took place Friday night in many locations around the Triangle.
Protesters are fueled by the outrage of recent police shootings that resulted in the deaths of 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, Minn. Potter claims she meant to use her taser instead of her gun.
Toledo, a seventh grader, was shot by Chicago Police on March 29, but the bodycam footage of the shooting wasn't revealed until Thursday.
Crowds gathered in downtown Durham around 7:30 p.m. A large crowd began at the Durham County Courthouse, then made its way to the Durham Police Department headquarters.
Graffiti could be seen on multiple surfaces, with clear messages aimed at authority.
WRAL's Rosalia Fodera reports that protesters were burning an American flag, while firecrackers could be heard going off near the Durham Police Department building, as well.
Durham protesters could be heard chanting, "Justice for Daunte Wright." Additionally, some protestors egged buildings, and tore down barriers outside of restaurants, including Durham staple, Copa.
Copa owner Roberto Copa says he sides with the protesters on their political stance, but is sad that they resorted to destruction of property.
"Plates are broken, wine glasses are on the floor, and that's not nice," Copa said. "Personally, I agree with their protests, but it is not fair to come and disturb our businesses."
In Raleigh, a smaller group gathered to speak out and march against police brutality.
Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin announced Friday evening that the city wasn't planning to institute a curfew in reaction to the protests.
"There are several protests planned this weekend. I am not considering a curfew," Baldwin said.
Protests took place at both the Governor's Mansion and Moore Square areas of Raleigh.
Many Raleigh business owners tell WRAL that they are boarding up their stores out of an abundance of caution, after 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 what will help you sleep at night," Holt said. "And after witnessing what we went through with those riots, this puts my mind at ease, and I wish that everybody else could do it, too, because you never know what's going to happen.
"When you call 911, you hope that somebody's going to come and protect you. Well, that didn't happen for me," she said.
Additionally, Cumberland County announced Friday it is closing its offices in downtown Fayetteville at 4 p.m. so workers can leave the area before possible protests begin. WRAL's Kirsten Guttierez reports that a group of protestors outside the historic Market House began to disperse around 7:30 p.m.
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Protesters gather in Raleigh Saturday to oppose recent police shootings - WRAL.com
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