George Floyd protests live updates: Here’s what to know in Charlotte on June 4

We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about local protests over the death of George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man who died while being detained by police. Protests have continued in Charlotte, Raleigh and across the country.

Check back for updates.

More conflict in uptown

Uptown Charlotte saw a sixth night of conflict between Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and some demonstrators Wednesday, resulting in 11 arrests and the confiscation of several weapons.

Multiple demonstrations were held during the day, and CMPD said a demonstration at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center “remained lawful” for hours. But “Shortly after 11 p.m., a few protesters began to throw cones into the street and fireworks were thrown into the crowd,” CMPD said.

Some then tried to march onto Interstate 277 near Third Street, prompting officers to intervene, CMPD said.

“Protesters then began throwing bottles, rocks and fireworks at officers ... so Riot Control Agents (RCA) were deployed,” CMPD said. “The use of the RCA was effective and dispersed those who were assaulting officers.”

Some demonstrators also pulled down the U.S. flag from a pole and burned it, CMPD says.

“One protester attempted to open a stack of bricks with a knife, and a few other protesters were seen arming themselves with bats. Multiple vehicles joined and followed the protesters, and several drove recklessly, endangering those demonstrating. As a result, several traffic stops were conducted and five people were arrested for reckless driving,” CMPD said in the release.

Four of the 11 people arrested during the night were armed and police say they confiscated two firearms, a knife and a bat, according to a release.

CMPD crowd control controversy

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney says he will ask the courts to release all videos associated with a controversial Tuesday incident on 4th Street, when officers appeared to use chemical agents on peaceful protesters.

The State Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday it intends to review the officers’ actions during the encounter.

Putney’s announcement came just hours after he and Mayor Vi Lyles sought to reassure thousands of people gathered outside the Government Center on Wednesday that they have the right to protest safely.

The incident under investigation was caught on video by the alternative news outlet Queen City Nerve and shared on social media.

53 assaults on officers

CMPD says a dozen officers have been injured by flying rocks and exploding fireworks during protests, but the department released data Wednesday reporting 53 assaults on cops have also occurred over the past six days.

The department said 18 incidents of protesters throwing bottles at officers occurred during a four-hour period Tuesday.

There have been more than 120 protester arrests as of Thursday morning, with 85 suspects from the Charlotte area, CMPD said in a release. Twenty-two weapons were seized during the arrests, the release said.

CMPD ‘duty to intervene’ policy

CMPD Chief Kerr Putney says the department is changing the language of its directive to include guidance on when officers should intervene if a fellow officer is not de-escalating a situation successfully or is using excessive force.

Calls for change have increased in recent weeks, after video surfaced of a Minneapolis police officer holding George Floyd to the ground with a knee to his neck for several minutes. Floyd died while in police custody.

“We will have something people can see as duty to intervene, but also specifically how we will treat (that policy),” Putney said. “This has been something we’ve been trying to codify.”

This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 7:41 AM with the headline "George Floyd protests live updates: Here’s what to know in Charlotte on June 4."