Latino Protesters Take to the Streets
by Johnnie Grant
There is a growing unrest among Charlotte’s Latino population, which makes up 13.1 percent of the city’s population according to 2012 Census data. On Tuesday afternoon, in the heart of downtown Charlotte, Latinos For Fair Immigration Policies let their voices be heard.
At the intersection of 5th and N. College Streets, just a stone’s throw from the Time Warner Arena where the Democratic Convention was just getting underway, a group of protesters dropped to their knees in a non-violent solidarity protest.
The “No papers – no fear” rally was held in protest against having undocumented status after numerous attempts to gain citizenship.
As law enforcement closed in on the protesters and warned them to disband, the group remained steadfast and would not budge. After numerous warnings to disband, the protesters were handcuffed, arrested, and hauled off.
