Protests in Charlotte, USA Turn Violent Following the Killing of an African American Citizen

Protests in Charlotte, a major city in North Carolina, have turned violent for the second consecutive night following the police shooting of an African American citizen. Reports from the protests on September 22 indicate that a civilian was also killed; however, the Charlotte city government quickly denied the reports of this citizen's death, stating that he is in critical condition due to a gunshot wound but is still alive. State officials have said that the shooting of this unidentified civilian was not by the police but by another civilian. The protests in Charlotte escalated after police shot a 43-year-old African American citizen named Keith Scott, who subsequently died. Police claim that Scott was armed and refused to drop his weapon, but the family of the deceased and a witness have stated that Scott was holding a book, not a gun. Officials have not yet released video footage of the recent incident, but Reuters reports that the Charlotte city government intends to do so soon. Initial protests in the city were peaceful and without conflict; however, as some protesters moved to the city center, clashes occurred with a line of police officers. Following these initial clashes, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas, while protesters responded by throwing incendiary devices and rocks. The protests and clashes have intensified since then. The recent demonstrations are part of a series of protests that have primarily arisen from the deaths of African American citizens and are against what protesters call the 'racist' behavior and actions of the American police. On the second night of protests in Charlotte and the increase in violence and clashes, the city government declared a 'state of emergency' and announced that the National Guard and state police forces would be dispatched to assist city police.