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In Charlotte, NC a bearded man carrying a gun and donning a Trump 2020 hat drew concern as he repeatedly circled the largely democratic polling location in precinct 212.
The man, identified as 36 year old Justin Dunn, arrived and began circling as local female politicians began to speak. Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) was forced to leave and was escorted away for safety.
Images of Dunn and the polling location were shared on Twitter by Charlotte Agenda which typically considers itself a visitors guide to the city.
The tweets came in succession as events unfolded. The tweets described the scene:
"As several prominent local female politicians spoke at precinct 212, one of the largest Democratic polling places in the state, the event was cut short when a maskless white man open carrying a gun showed up and began circling the property,"
"Congresswoman Adams was quickly whisked away, and Mayor Lyles left soon after. Poll watchers said the man was here for nearly an hour before heading in to vote."
Congresswoman Adams was quickly whisked away, and Mayor Lyles left soon after. Poll watchers said the man was here for nearly an hour before heading in to vote.
— Charlotte Agenda (@charlotteagenda) November 3, 2020
Charlotte Agenda did note the state's open carry laws saying:
"North Carolina is an open carry state, so he technically was not breaking the law. Still, voters and volunteers here are describing this as voter intimidation."
North Carolina is an open carry state, so he technically was not breaking the law. Still, voters and volunteers here are describing this as voter intimidation.
— Charlotte Agenda (@charlotteagenda) November 3, 2020
Tim Carmichael a poll watcher mentioned the racial disparity in how the incident was initially handled.
He said:
"If they saw a Black man with a gun they would have emptied the whole damn precinct."
Update: Per CMPD, officers have arrested Justin Dunn for trespassing. He voted at precinct 212, was asked to leave, but returned two hours later. CMPD says the original call they received was “regarding Dunn possibly intimidating other voters."
— Charlotte Agenda (@charlotteagenda) November 3, 2020
Just two hours after the encounter Justin Dunn, was arrested after returning to the polling location in precinct 212 with gun in tow.
36 yr old Justin Dunn arrested on #ElectionDay for 2nd degree trespassing - witnesses say he showed up at a poll in @MeckCounty with a firearm possibly intimidating voters. He was told to leave and banned from property but came back. @WBTV_News #WBTVandMepic.twitter.com/3Xwf9owklr
— Dedrick Russell WBTV (@dedrickrussell) November 3, 2020
It's almost like they should have done something the first time he was there?
— David Gusler (@Gusbust3r) November 3, 2020
I asked CMPD why Justin Dunn was not also charged with voter intimidation, along with trespassing: “Based on the information provided to officers on the scene from witnesses, there was not sufficient evidence to charge him with Voter Intimidation," CMPD PIO Thomas Hildebrand said
— Katie Peralta (@katieperalta) November 3, 2020
Why do these guys always look unkempt and in knockoff costumes of forest or desert camouflage on asphalt streets?
Do they know how ridiculous they look?
— Alex Vitalia (won't retweet profanity) Vote Dems! (@AlexVita9) November 3, 2020
Isn't it Amazing that All TrumpVirus Cult Members ALL look the Same !
— John Matlock (@JohnMat84579645) November 3, 2020
It would have be insane, the swat team would have been out in force with riotgear.
— Kasy😇😈❄ (@kasy68) November 3, 2020
Social media users were outraged at what they saw as blatant voter intimidation.
They WERE intimidated if they left without voting when they saw him. @FBICharlotte
— CALL: 202-224-3121 (@sevenbowie) November 3, 2020
These people are violent. They send death threats to female congresspeople daily. Republicans are the majority of domestic terrorists. By far. pic.twitter.com/oIbArjjIxK
— Chris O'Brien (@chrisobrien_o) November 3, 2020
Agreed. I feel like if you can't open carry at an event like a parade or protest, that policy should carry over to polling places.
— jane-o-lantern (@sweet13jane12) November 3, 2020
Arrest anyone doing that type of pure intimidation.
— jeanette muller allured (@jmichele62) November 3, 2020
Rep. Adams remains safe and although some voters left the polls during Dunn's threatening appearance, no one was harmed.