Charlotte’s “Cop City” Sparks Civil Liberties Lawsuit and Contractor Backlash Amid Growing Public Opposition
Executive Summary
North Carolina’s Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) faces a mounting public challenge over its planned $118 million police training complex after a lawsuit alleges it operated in secret and violated constitutional rights. Activists opposing the project have escalated efforts by publicly naming companies involved, setting the stage for organized resistance modeled on the infamous Atlanta “Cop City” conflict.
Analysis
The battle over Charlotte’s proposed law enforcement training facility, now dubbed “Cop City Charlotte” by opponents, has moved from campus protest to legal action and public shaming campaigns. At the center is CPCC, which partnered with Hendrick Automotive Group and Mecklenburg County officials to develop a 38-acre complex for training police, fire, and EMS personnel. The project includes a mock town, firing range, and high-speed driving course—features critics argue signal a deeper investment in militarized policing.
The opposition, however, isn’t just rhetorical. In a significant escalation, activists with the group Stop Cop City CLT released a list of contractors tied to the project, including addresses and contact information. These companies—such as Faulconer Construction, CLH Design, and Boomerang Design—are now in the public spotlight as contributors to what activists claim is a “militarization of public space.” This tactic mirrors similar moves by anti-Cop City groups in Atlanta, where exposure campaigns have pressured companies to withdraw.
The project’s secrecy has become a flashpoint. A lawsuit filed by public defender Mina Ezikpe and others accuses CPCC of skirting North Carolina’s open meetings laws, suppressing dissent, and retaliating against those who attempted to ask questions. According to the suit, attendees were surveilled, filmed, and later banned from campus without due process—actions that plaintiffs argue infringe on First Amendment rights and set a dangerous precedent for public institutions.
Supporters of the facility, including CPCC and law enforcement leaders, frame it as a long-overdue investment in regional preparedness. Sheriff Garry McFadden notes Mecklenburg County’s training resources are outdated and insufficient, and CPCC President Kandi Deitemeyer has said the project will enhance public safety while advancing workforce development. CPCC insists there will be strict access controls for the firing range and that community feedback has been acknowledged—though critics dispute those claims.
The controversy, however, is not just ideological. Public records reveal that $116 million in taxpayer money has already been allocated for construction—more than double the combined amount spent on resident-identified priorities like housing, healthcare, and food access. Activists argue this misalignment is a red flag, especially as crime trends fluctuate and skepticism over policing grows.
Many residents question why taxpayer-funded education infrastructure is being used to expand policing. CPCC’s enrollment includes over 30,000 students, yet only a fraction will use the facility. Opponents also highlight that the land could have addressed actual student needs—such as housing, classroom expansion, or medical training facilities—rather than building what one organizer called “a training ground for police PR.”
The optics are further complicated by Atlanta’s precedent. The fatal shooting of activist Tortuguita and sweeping domestic terrorism charges against protesters there have informed Charlotte’s activist strategy and reinforced public suspicion. Opponents warn that such facilities are not just training grounds but symbols of state overreach, surveillance, and control.
At the moment, construction moves forward, but pressure is mounting. The gift agreement between CPCC and Hendrick allows the land to be repurposed if no development occurs within seven years. That clause has become a rallying point for activists determined to halt the project through public resistance, reputational damage to contractors, and legal delay tactics.
Whether the facility becomes operational by 2028 or ends up in the pile of scrapped developments may depend on how effectively Stop Cop City CLT sustains momentum—and whether CPCC can prove it has the public’s trust.
