Protesters face CMPD officers after an arrest was made and tear gas and pepper balls were deployed against those gathered this summer following George Floyd's death. (Photo by Grant Baldwin for Cardinal & Pine) Charlotte protests of George Floyd's death
Protesters face CMPD officers after an arrest was made and tear gas and pepper balls were deployed against those gathered this summer following George Floyd's death. (Photo by Grant Baldwin for Cardinal & Pine)

As police clashed with demonstrators in Charlotte, Cardinal & Pine contributor Grant Baldwin captured it all.

After a night of unrest in North Carolina’s cities, Gov. Roy Cooper declared Sunday that: “People are more important than property, and Black lives do matter.”

But the events that preceded that, marred with uncertainty about how and why peaceful demonstrations turned violent in the evening hours, were remarkably consistent in and outside the state.

Cardinal & Pine contributor Grant Baldwin documented the scene in North Carolina’s largest city in Charlotte, where a day of peaceful demonstrations gave way to a turbulent evening.

RELATED: Gov. Roy Cooper: ‘Black Lives Do Matter.’

Baldwin talked about tension on both sides, and the mostly white and occasionally masked demonstrators who broke windows and started fights. At one point, Baldwin said a crowd of white demonstrators began firing guns in the air, prompting a swift response from police.

See below for Baldwin’s photo essay of a shocking day in North Carolina.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles
Charlotte’s Mayor Vi Lyles, joined by city council members, talks to press and addressed members of the NC African American Caucus. Lyles asked that they work in their communities to help teach tolerance and equality, as well as to announce that the city had declared a state of emergency. (Photo by Grant Baldwin).
Charlotte protests of George Floyd’s death
City Councilman Braxton Winston (right) makes his first public appearance after being arrested the previous night during demonstrations on Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
Charlotte protests of George Floyd’s death.
After marching from Charlotte police headquarters to Romare Bearden Park, protesters paused to let members speak about the Minnesota police killing of George Floyd before continuing their march through uptown. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
‘Black Lives Matter’ in Charlotte
A protester kneels in the street before continuing with those marching through uptown Saturday in Charlotte. (Photo for Cardinal & Pine by Grant Baldwin).
Charlotte protests of George Floyd’s death.
Protesters stopped temporarily at the Mecklenburg County Jail before continuing their march through uptown. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
Charlotte protests of George Floyd’s death
Shortly after blocking I-277 near uptown, protesters speak to reporters. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
Charlotte protests of George Floyd’s death.
After marching for the previous eight hours, protesters gathered in front of Charlotte police headquarters. Their numbers grew significantly before the protests turned violent. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
Charlotte protests of George Floyd’s death
The first arrest of the evening, CMPD officers remove a woman from the crowd as protesters push in. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
Charlotte protests of George Floyd’s death
Protesters stand in the back of a vehicle after an arrest was made and tear gas and pepper balls were deployed against those gathered. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
Charlotte Protests George Floyd’s Killing
Protesters confront CMPD officers after an arrest was made and tear gas and pepper balls were deployed against those gathered. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
Charlotte protests of George Floyd’s death
Protesters attempt to assist a woman who’d inhaled tear gas. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
Charlotte protests of George Floyd’s death
A protester turns an American Flag in front of the Federal Reserve upside down, a universal symbol of a country in distress. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
Charlotte protests of George Floyd’s death
Protesters confront CMPD officers after an arrest was made and tear gas and pepper balls were deployed against those gathered. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
‘Black Lives Matter’ in Charlotte
In a show of defiance, protesters turn their backs and kneel in front of a line of CMPD officers. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
Black Lives Matter Protest in NC
In a show of defiance, protesters turn their backs and kneel in front of a line of CMPD officers. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
Charlotte protests of George Floyd’s death
In a show of defiance, protesters turns their backs and put their hands behind their heads in front of a line of CMPD officers. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)
Charlotte protests of George Floyd’s death
A protester attempts to assist a fellow protester after tear gas flooded the crowd. (Photo by Grant Baldwin)

Billy Ball

Billy Ball is the Managing Editor of Cardinal & Pine. He’s covered local, state and national politics, government, education, criminal justice, the environment and immigration in North Carolina for almost two decades, winning state, regional and national awards for his reporting and commentary.

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Grant Baldwin

Grant Baldwin is a freelance editorial and brand photojournalist based out of Charlotte, NC. He has 8 years experience covering local, regional and national news throughout the southeast.

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