About 60 people, most of them teens, marched against racial injustice in south Charlotte Friday afternoon. They gathered at Elon Park on Ardrey Kell Road at midday and marched about 2.5 miles to Blakeney Park off Rea Road, then back to Elon Park. It was a diverse crowd, including a few parents and other adults.
Claire Tandoh is the founder of Kidz Fed Up and helped organize the event. She told WFAE she wanted to march in a predominately white part of town to spur people to join the cause.
“You could be a good ally, but you have to be more than not racist. So if you’re not actively being anti-racist then you’re not necessarily helping the movement. And I felt like this area would be a good way to promote that, to tell people you have to be more than just not racist," she said.
Organizers told marchers not to talk to police.
Thirteen-year-old Elijah Sherrill of Gastonia has wanted to join a march, but until now couldn't make it to one.
“(I've been) affected by the killings, George Floyd, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, all of them. They're black and basically they are my brothers, so I want to be out here and change that,” he said.
Thursday night was the first full night without protests in Charlotte. But at least two events were planned Friday: a rally at Freedom Park at 6 p.m. and a march uptown beginning at 8 pm. at First Ward Park.
About 60 young people are marching against racial injustice in S. #CLT, from Elon Park on Ardrey Kell Rd to the Park at Blakeney. Organizer Claire Tandoh of Kidz Fed Up says they're here to send message to a mostly white neighborhood. #BlackLivesMatter #clt @kidzfedup pic.twitter.com/34KdUFm6SX
— David Boraks (@davidboraks) June 12, 2020
