Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts told the citizens of the largest city in North Carolina to maintain the peace during this “difficult time” after protests against police turned violent for the second night.
“We are a can-do city, we are a collaborative city. We are a place that welcomes visitors that includes all voices at the table,” Roberts said on ABC Thursday morning. “So I tell our citizens to have peaceful protests and to strive to work together.”
North Carolina’s Republican Gov. Pat McCrory has declared a state of emergency and will be sending state troops on request of local police officials after the city erupted into violence in response to a police shooting of a black man. One civilian was shot in the head and is on life support, and a number were injured. Police officers in riot gear were sent to the demonstration and seven officers have been taken to the hospital.
