Charlotte girl's tearful plea goes viral

CHARLOTTE, NC (WTVD) -- When protesters showed up in force Monday night at a Charlotte City Council meeting one little girl's voice got the attention of the internet.

In the wake of the shooting of the officer-involved shooting of Keith Scott, more than 50 angry residents expressed their frustration to Mayor Jennifer Roberts and City Council about what they called unaccountable police officers and civilian leaders who have failed to force change.

WSOC-TV reports that among the speakers were children who said they were too scared to leave their homes, including Zianna Oliphant.

In tears, she said that she believes that she is treated differently because of her skin color.

"We are black people, and we shouldn't have to feel like this. We shouldn't have to protest because y'all are treating us wrong. We do this because we need to and we have rights," Zianna said.

Mayor Roberts encouraged her to speak her mind as other protesters cheered her on.

"It's a shame that our fathers and mothers are killed and we can't even see them anymore," she said. "It's a shame that we have to go to the graveyard and bury them. And we have tears, and we shouldn't have tears. We need our fathers and mothers to be by our side."