A protest in Kannapolis, North Carolina turned violent after an 18‑year‑old student allegedly threw a drink at a police officer. Emily Cervantes Ramos was caught on camera striking the officer and was quickly tackled and taken into custody.
The demonstration—about 75 people in all, mostly students who walked out of A.L. Brown High School classes—was aimed at opposing ICE’s immigration‑enforcement work in Charlotte. Most of the crowd stayed peaceful, and officers were only present for safety reasons.
Tensions flared when a few protestors shouted at the officer, who they said had been photographing them. “You’re not even an officer, you’re just a no‑life ass bitch,” one threw over the din. The officer remained silent until Ramos appeared from behind, flung a full plastic cup across his head, and then ran. The crowd followed her.
“Ohhh!” a shout rang out as officers chased her. Ramos was quickly brought to the ground and handcuffed. “She didn’t even do anything,” a bystander commented amid the protestors’ jeers.
Ramos was charged with assaulting a government official and resisting police officers. No other arrests were made.
A GoFundMe page was created for her family soon after her arrest, but it didn’t mention the alleged drug‑smashing incident. Instead, archived screenshots of the fundraiser said, “An officer intervened aggressively, snatching a bullhorn from a young girl and dragging her to the ground,” and added, “It was one of the most distressing things many of us have ever witnessed, and it should never have happened to someone peacefully exercising their rights.” The page has since been removed.
When reporters asked for clarification, the Kannapolis Police Department stood by the arrest. Police Chief Terry Spry told WCNC, “We believe in every individual’s First Amendment rights, but if any person’s actions become illegal in situations such as these, we have no choice but to take appropriate action in order to protect the people and property of our city.”
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