Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Police seeing more protests in Charlotte

City leaders expect droves of protesters to descend on the Queen City when the Democratic National Convention hits Charlotte next September, but police say they've already seen an increased number of sign-bearing malcontents.

Police Chief Rodney Monroe told the Observer the city is "seeing a demonstration every other day." He spoke to reporters at the unveiling of a new mobile crime scene unit on Tuesday.

Occupy Charlotte protesters remain camped out in front of the old city hall building, which is located across the street from police headquarters. Someone has put metal barricades around the fallen officer's memorial, apparently to keep protesters from disturbing it.

On November 16, eight protesters were arrested after climbing the flag pole in front of Bank of America headquarters on Tryon Street and unfurling a sign that said "Not with our money." Monroe said that group is from California and "they brought their whole network here."

A few moments after Monroe spoke, a half dozen protesters -- including a child sitting on a man's shoulders holding a cardboard sign that had been scribbled on with purple crayon -- began walking up Trade Street, toward the Square, chanting slogans. -- Cleve R. Wootson Jr.