Residents urge review after vendor sold and demonstrated whips next to Kannapolis Juneteenth celebration

Multiple residents urged the Kannapolis City Council on June 22 to investigate how a private vendor came to sell and demonstrate whips next to the city's Juneteenth celebration, saying the display was insensitive given the holiday's history and posed safety concerns for families.

At the start of the public-comment period, Beth Goodman read a statement for Keisha Sandidge that said there was "no clear distinction" between the Juneteenth activities and a nearby private festival where whips were sold and used in demonstrations. "No child should have to process that question while attending an event meant to celebrate freedom and community," Goodman said, and she asked the council who authorized the activity and whether the city had been aware.

Justin Luther, who said he is a descendant of enslaved Africans, told council members the display had caused genuine hurt in the community and was "not something to be made light of or be dismissed." Marathy Hawi, an event organizer from Concord, described seeing her child asked to try a whip and said the incident was "very alarming" from both a parent's and event-coordinator's perspective. Laticia Bailey, a local business owner, added that a vendor that primarily serves the equestrian industry had unfairly become the focus of social-media criticism because of timing and proximity to the Juneteenth event.

City Manager Melton earlier addressed the council about the matter, saying the private event's organizer confirmed there was no intent to offend and apologizing that the vendor's presence created a "negative association" with the Juneteenth celebration. The city said it was unaware that a vendor would demonstrate the use of whips and pledged to review processes.

Multiple commenters asked the council to clarify permitting rules for vendors, to ensure proper separation of simultaneous events on adjacent properties, and to put safeguards in place so cultural sensitivity, public safety, and reputational risks are weighed when staff permits non-city events. Council member Dayvault and others urged a review of the special-events committee and clearer signage/communication for campus and downtown events so residents and campus stakeholders know which organization is responsible for each activity.

The council did not take a formal vote on new restrictions at the meeting but agreed to examine permitting and communications processes and to consider asking the private event organizer to make a public apology, as some speakers requested. Staff said it would report back to council with recommended changes to special-events procedures and vendor oversight.

The council's next procedural step on event permitting will be determined at a subsequent meeting once staff completes a review and returns with recommendations.