News – Mallory Shorter Photography

On Tuesday morning, June 9th, a group of 17 artists came together in collaboration with the city of Charlotte to create a mural reading “Black Lives Matter” along North Tryon Street between 3rd and 4th street. Each artist designed a letter with its own message. The painting was finished around 7pm the same day. A crowd gathered in a peaceful assembly to see the newly unveiled mural and take a knee in remembrance of George Floyd. Below art the 17 artists who contributed to the mural.

Dammit Wesley, @dammit_wesley
Dakotah Johnson, @dakotahaiyanna
Matthew Clayburn, @matthewclayburn
Abel Jackson, @artbyabel
Garrison Gist, @2gzandcountin
Owl & Arko, @owl.clt and @arko.clt
Kyle Mosher, @thekylemosher
Franklin Kernes, @fk.creative
Kiana Mui, @kmuii
Marcus Kiser, @marcus_kiser
Georgie Nakima, @gardenofjourney
Zach McLean, @part_t1m3
Frankie Zombie, @frankie.zombie_
CHD:WCK!, @chdwckart
John Hairston, @jagolactus_
Dari Calamari, @daricalamari

Early afternoon on Sunday May 31st demonstrators gathered in Uptown Charlotte for a march, protesting police brutality against the black community, triggered by the recent murder of George Floyd, a black man killed by Minneapolis police officers. Floyd was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill.

Photos by Mallory Shorter

In the evening, a large gathering of demonstrators took to the streets of the Uptown district for what, for the most part, was a peaceful assembly.

At every block the demonstrators were met by police officers on bikes who barricaded the streets to allow them to march through. The crowd stopped, face to face with the officers, with their hands up shouting “Don’t shoot” before continuing.

A bus load of officers in tactical gear pulled up behind the protesters, before rushing them.

The majority of the protesters fled through a parking garage, as the officers closed in shouting “Move!” Those on the outside scattered and a woman can be seen throwing a drink on the officers.

The officers threw tear gas towards the opening of the garage as a second wave of officers ran in as reinforcement.

A woman was arrested and held in the middle of a group of officers. She was allegedly carrying a gun.

The demonstrators marched the streets chanting phrases such as “No Justice No Peace,” “Black Lives Matter” and “I can’t breathe.”

A few of the protesters stood between the officers and their fellow demonstrators encouraging, them to keep moving.

At around 8pm the crowd started to dwindle down.

During the evening, the march was relatively peaceful. However, as day turned to night its been reported that the activities grew more violent. Reportedly, more than 15 arrests were made during the demonstrations Sunday night. Some protesters went on to throw objects at the officers, damage windows at the Wells Fargo and Chipotle on South College St. CMPD responded with tear gas and arrests. At around 9pm hundreds of protesters went to the sheriff’s office and set off fireworks.

Black Lives Matter Street Art

“I Can’t Breathe”