• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Harding University High School sophomore hurdler Akala Garrett follows mom and coach LaSonja Collins’ footsteps TThhee CChhaarrllootttteeTHE VOICE P POF THE BLACKo oCOMMUNITYss SINCEtt 1906 WEEK OF JULY 29, 2021 VOLUME 47, NUMBER 47 WWW.THECHARLOTTEPOST.COM $1.50 Activists, CMPD Obstacles agree to to ‘a way changes Prohibitions against chemical weapons, out and a ‘kettling’ maneuvers By Herbert L. White [email protected] Civil rights groups and Charlotte- way up’ Mecklenburg Police have reached a settlement on how the department interacts with civilian unrest. Restrictive laws, societal The ACLU of North Carolina, Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP, bias limit how the formerly Lawyers’ Committee for Civil incarcerated can start fresh Rights Under Law, and Charlotte- based civil rights attorneys reached the agree- ment with the city and CMPD after a violent June 2020 confron- tation in which police used chemical agents MARTEN BJORK | UNSPLASH against peaceful Recently incarcerated people often face societal and legal barriers to re-enter society, especially when it comes to employment. One potential ve- marchers protesting hicle to ease the transition is petitioning for expungement, which requires navigating a maze of official red tape between law enforcement and police brutality. The courts. North Carolina law limits felons – even those convicted of non-violent crimes – access to expunction. settlement will be in Puckett- effect for four years Williams By Herbert L. White “But they labeled it as a violent crime and opens the door to enforce po- [email protected] and there was nothing violent in it.” lice violations. Michael Watkins has the education The inability to find work at a living , This series was produced in partnership with the “People should not be brutalized and training for a career in health care, wage is a major impediment for the Pulitzer Center when they are exercising their right but North Carolina law won’t allow it. formerly incarcerated. The social to protest. This agreement is a step The state prohibits people with a fel- who lives in Raleigh. “I didn’t realize stigma that follows conviction often in the right direction, but it’s insuf- ony record to be employed that until a couple years ago when I filters to potential employers who are ficient to reckon with the violence in the field. Watkins’ tried to go to Legal Aid of North Caro- hesitant to hire people with a record and trauma protesters endured at crime? Breaking and enter- lina to see if I could have my record ex- beyond low-level misdemeanors. As a the hands of police across the state ing and larceny, which re- punged so I could gain sustainable result, people who can’t find work are last year,” Kristie Puckett-Williams, sulted in a three-year employment.” more at risk to return to crime, and by statewide manager of the ACLU of sentence. He served six Watkins sought help at the Campbell extension, incarceration. It’s a cycle that North Carolina’s Campaign for months, and the damage Law Clinic at Campbell University in can be hard to break. Smart Justice said in a statement. to his future employability Buies Creek, N.C. State law disqualifies “I was never able to get any jobs un- , The agreement includes revi- was total. anyone convicted of a Class H felony – less it was restaurant-type work, which Watkins sions to CMPD rules of engage- “Honestly, it was largely although violence wasn’t involved – paid minimum wage or calls center ment, including: because of a felony I committed in 1989 from expunction. work, which still didn’t pay enough for • Banning the use of chemical that the state of North Carolina says “The way they treated me, you’d think me to afford to be able to get an apart- agents such as tear gas during pro- cannot be expunged,” said Watkins, I’d done something far worse,” he said. Please see LIMITED | 2A tests • Prohibition of chemical weapons to trap protesters • Crowd dispersal orders must be communicated in English and Spanish in order to allow pro- «APPRECIATION: SAM BELNAVIS testers time to disperse Please see CMPD | 2A Motorsports pioneer championed racing diversity Mitchell eyes By Herbert L. White Wendell Scott in the 1970s. In tional Guard. In addition to his well as his work to support the [email protected] 2003, he launched ownership stake, Mr. Belnavis launch of the NASCAR Drive for Sam Belnavis, a sports mar- BelCar Racing with was Roush-Fenway’s chief di- Diversity Program, helped in- another keting pioneer who helped pave National Guard versity officer. troduce career opportunities in the way for motorsports diver- sponsorship, crew “We are saddened by the NASCAR to people of color.” sity, died July 14 at age 81. chief Travis Carter passing of Sam Belnavis, a true Mr. Belnavis’ first foray into political Mr. Belnavis, a native of and driver Todd pioneer in motorsports whose team ownership was the launch Brooklyn, New York, was a trail- Bodine. Mr. Belna- tireless work helped foster an of BH Motorsports in 2002, blazer as a team general man- vis later merged inclusive environment through- which campaigned the No. 54 comeback ager and owner in NASCAR, operations with Belnavis out NASCAR,” the organization Chevrolet with Ron Hornaday at By Ashley Mahoney becoming the first Black owner Roush Fenway Rac- said in a statement. “For more Charlotte, Atlanta and Rocking- [email protected] in stock car racing’s top series ing’s No. 16 car raced by Greg than 30 years, his efforts as a ham and the Army National James Mitchell has answered to since Hall of Fame inductee Biffle and sponsored by the Na- team owner and executive, as Please see 4A SAM BELNAVIS | many titles., Charlotte City Council member. Company president. Now, he’s a Mecklenburg County coronavirus cases spike college trustee who wants to make another political comeback. By Aaliyah Bowden Mitchell, who left council in Janu- [email protected] ary to run R.J. Leeper Construction, The frequency of COVID-19 cases in Mecklenburg intends to run again for elected of- County is rising as the Delta variant continues to fice. , spread across the country and North Carolina. “I am considering coming back Over the weekend, there were more 1,000 new and trying to serve cases reported in the state. As of July 19, there have our city in some pub- been 734 newly reported cases in the state with 612 lic capacity,” he said.,, people currently hospitalized from COVID-19. The Mitchell did not spike is putting new focus on preventative meas- specify when he ures like vaccination and face coverings to lower the would look to cam- risk of infection. paign again, but con- “Vaccines remain the best protection against firmed his focus rests COVID-19, including against the Delta variant,” said on council rather than Mitchell State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore. “Nationwide, state or federal posi- more than 50% of new cases are now caused by the tions., Delta variant, and the number of Delta variant cases “If I run for public office, It would is rapidly increasing in North Carolina.” definitely be for Charlotte City In the past week, the Mecklenburg Health Depart- Council,” he said., ment reported an average of 92 cases a day com- Mitchell is no stranger to political pared to 74 cases confirmed over a 14-day period. comebacks. After losing the Dem- Hospitals across the state have reported an uptick ocratic mayoral primary to Patrick in cases. ATRIUM HEALTH Cannon in 2013, he was off council “Our inpatient numbers are still below 20 at each for two years before winning elec- John Foster gives a thumbs-up signal as he takes a COVID-19 shot at Bank of America Sta- tion to an at large seat in 2015. of our hospitals but there’s been an increase over the dium in February. Mecklenburg County reported an average of 92 confirmed infections a last few weeks,” said David Priest, infectious disease Council and mayoral primary day compared to 74 cases over a 14-day period. Please see 2A Please see CONFIRMED | 2A FORMER | INSIDE Please STAY IN TOUCH Digital edition: Sports 5A Snapchat: thecharpost www.thecharlottepostnewspaper.com Recycle Life 1B Twitter: @thecharpost A&E 5B To subscribe: (704) 376-0496 or online Facebook: The Charlotte Post Classified 4B http://tcppc.com/Subscribe Instagram: @thecharlottepost #PaperThursday 2A NEWS | The Charlotte Post Thursday, July 29, 2021 Limited opportunities for expunction Continued from page 1A law enforcement and the State Bureau that’s part of class, that’s also part of Watkins, who in the last four years ment,” said Watkins, who earlier this of Investigation. Petitioners must file a race, because if you look at who’s com- earned degrees in medical office admin- year went to work for a nonprofit in form in the county where the arrest oc- mitting white collar crimes. It’s class, istration and healthcare management, Portland, Oregon, earlier this year. “So, curred by contacting the clerk of court race and gender, because largely white would like to put his education to work. I was extremely limited in the types of or a private attorney to navigate the pa- men are convicted of white-collar Barring a change in North Carolina law, jobs I was ever offered. perwork required. Any error is cause for crimes, and usually wealthier white he won’t be able to do it here. “I did well. I always do well in inter- automatic rejection. men who are convicted of white-collar “I’m currently in graduate school at views, and employers are always im- Mecklenburg County District Attorney crimes.

Load more

  6

Copy Link