CHARLOTTE, NC – The NFL’s decision to not cancel or move the game being payed today in Charlotte, NC between the Panthers and Vikings will be played out in a matter of hours.
Early indications may point to that decision backfiring.
A source told ESPN’s Michael Eaves that police got word Saturday night that protesters will gather Sunday morning at Marshall Park, a mile from Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. From there, they will march down to the stadium and try to block all of its entrances—even those for the players and officials.
The ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests were ignited by the fatal shooting at the hands of police of 43-year-old Keith Lamont. The nightly gatherings out rioter and alike have gone on since Tuesday of last week.
Luckily for the players, there were no issues in getting them into the stadium safely Sunday morning.
In preparation of the possible protest, numerous police have transformed the outside of Bank of America stadium into what appears to be more of a militarized zone instead of a football tailgate.
Cops are now being dropped into the stadium area by tour bus, some in SWAT gear with tasers, zip tie handcuffs and batons #CharlotteProtest pic.twitter.com/fczqSLE20P
— Tyler R. Tynes (@TylerRickyTynes) September 25, 2016
Humvees seated outside of Bank of America Stadium #CharlotteProtest pic.twitter.com/vvYD9R5JtR
— Tyler R. Tynes (@TylerRickyTynes) September 25, 2016
Protesters have even threatened to burn Cam Newton jerseys if he choses to stand during the playing of the National Anthem pregame.
(h/t Bleacher Report)