City Manager Declares Upcoming Events as “Extraordinary Events”

City Manager Curt Walton has declared several upcoming events as Extraordinary Events. The City Manager, in collaboration with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, has determined these events meet the criteria as defined in Charlotte City Code Sec. 15-310. Charlotte City Council adopted the ordinance January 23, 2012, which authorized the City Manager to make declarations of Extraordinary Events.

An Extraordinary Event is defined as a large scale event or an event of national or international significance which might attract a significant number of people to a certain geographic area of the city.

The ordinance does not affect the normal way of life for our citizens who are going about their daily activities. For example, residents will be able to walk their dog within the extraordinary event boundaries without fear of arrest. The Extraordinary Event designation allows the City to modify its permitting process for activities such as parades and specifies certain items that are prohibited from being brought into certain boundaries of the event. A list of prohibited items is included in the following document.

The following events and geographic locations (see attached declarations and maps) have been declared as Extraordinary Events:

Duke Energy Annual Shareholder Meeting: Investors and Duke Energy executives will meet in Charlotte’s Center City on May 3, 2012. Current information indicates that:

· A significant number of demonstrators have gathered outside other major corporations recently during their annual shareholder meetings.

· Reliable information indicates that significant numbers of demonstrators are expected to attend.

· In February, some demonstrators erected 20-foot tall tripods on the sidewalk in front of Duke Energy’s headquarters. Others locked themselves to the legs, while others suspended themselves from the center of the device.

Geographic area: from the intersection of S. Tryon and Stonewall Streets to Stonewall at Graham Street; from Graham Street to Martin Luther King Boulevard; from Martin Luther King to South Tryon Street and back to Stonewall. Time: 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on May 3, 2012.

BOA Shareholder Meeting: Bank of America’s annual Shareholder Meeting will take place in Charlotte’s Center City on May 9, 2012. Current information indicates that:

· Several organizations are making plans to protest during the meeting. At this point, information indicates that significant numbers of demonstrators are expected to attend.

· In the past year, significant numbers of demonstrators have gathered outside major corporations during their annual shareholder meetings.

· In November 2011, some demonstrators illegally hung a banner outside the bank’s headquarters.

· In April 2012, some demonstrators entered two BOA branches and disrupted business.

Geographic area: from the intersection of Tryon and Trade Streets to the intersection of Trade Street and the light rail line; from the light rail line to Sixth Street; from Sixth Street to North Tryon Street and then back to the intersection of North Tryon and Trade Streets. Time: 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on May 9, 2012.

Speed Street: The Food Lion Speed Street 600 Festival is planned, for Memorial Day weekend May 24-26, 2012. Current information indicates:

· More than 400,000 people are expected to visit the event, in the Center City, over its three day duration. Last year, several fights occurred among the crowd of nearly 80,000 people who attended the final night of the event.

Geographic area: from the intersection of Seventh and North Tryon Streets to the intersection of South Tryon and Stonewall Streets; from Stonewall to South Davidson Street; from South Davidson to Seventh Street and then from Seventh back to North Tryon Street. Time: 6:00 a.m. on May 24, 2012 to 6:00 a.m. on May 27, 2012.

July 4th Spectacular: The Presbyterian Hospital July 4th Spectacular is held at Memorial Stadium; however, participation goes far beyond the official site.

· In previous years, nearly 100,000 people have gathered in the Center City to watch the fireworks, celebrate the holiday or meet up with friends.

· Significant numbers of mostly young people have caused disturbances by blocking sidewalks and roadways, fighting, and shooting firecrackers in crowds.

Geographic area: from the intersection of Seventh and North Tryon Streets, to Tryon and Stonewall Streets; from Stonewall to South Davidson Streets; from South Davidson to Seventh Street and then from Seventh back to North Tryon Street. Time: 12:01 a.m. on July 4, 2012 to 6:00 a.m. on July 5, 2012.

Democratic National Convention: The official DNC events are scheduled for Sept. 4-6, 2012 and related events will take place before and after the convention. Geographic area and time to be provided at a later date

· The DNC is expected to bring an estimated 75,000 visitors to Charlotte, including President Obama, governors and other dignitaries, international media, and thousands of demonstrators.

· High levels of security will be required because the convention has been declared a National Special Security Event.

· At previous conventions, some groups have caused disturbances, damaged property, blocked roadways and resorted to violence.