While some protests on the streets of Charlotte turn violent after an officer involved shooting, one man is trying to calm racial tensions by giving out hugs.
Advertisement
It happened during the second night of unrest in Charlotte in response of police killing a black man.
“Just because he’s wearing a uniform, doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel the pains our people feel”, Nwadike told the protestors about a black officer in riot gear.
We’ve written about Ken E Nwadike Jr., a number of times in the last few years, back in the days when a hug wasn’t quite so threatening to people.
Some of the other protesters yelled at Nwadike, calling him names and demanding to know why he was on “their side”. But when he was confronted by protesters who said he shouldn’t be hugging white officers, he stood his ground. “This uniform doesn’t make him a robot, just like your uniform, your skin color, doesn’t make you a criminal”.
Protests have broken out in Charlotte after Keith Lamont Scott was killed by a police officer.
“Thank you for being out here and being peaceful”, the officer said as he embraced Nwadike. Police accounts said he was reaching for a gun when he was shot, while his family insists he was reading a book in his auto.
“People are hurting, and I understand that”. He tried to reason with the naysayers, saying his message is one of peace, and clarifying that he’s neutral in this matter. Other parts of the video show tear gas, and gunshots are heard.
Advertisement
Nwadike’s video documented several conversations between police and citizens, but also violence and destruction. We can’t love one another?
