By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Civil rights activist John C. Barnette is organizing a community forum Thursday in East Spencer to discuss community complaints against the Salisbury Police Department.
The forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Love Christian Center, 102 N. Long St., East Spencer. Doors will open at 6 p.m.
During the forum, Barnette, who is the founder of T.H.U.G., True Healing Under God Ministries, of Gastonia, will introduce a committee recently formed to address citizens grievances. The committee is made up of eight Salisbury residents and Barnette.
Barnette said he and the committee are calling for the resignation of Salisbury police officers Kareem Puranda and Mark Hunter.
Puranda is on administrative duty following an August incident at LaBamba, a club on Klumac Road. A fight broke out at a private party at the club. A video recorded at the party and posted online shows what appears to be Puranda punching a man.
A few weeks ago, Hunter arrested Livingstone College student Chastity Ramsey after charging her with two seat belt violations and assaulting an officer, then finding an open container of alcohol in her trunk, according to police reports. Barnette said Hunter slammed Ramsey against the vehicle and placed in handcuffs.
He plans a prayer vigil for Ramsey, who is scheduled to appear in court today, at 8 a.m. on the Rowan County courthouse steps.
Barnette has planned another rally Nov. 21. It will be the third of five rallies he has planned.