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.