Central Piedmont Community College Faces Federal Lawsuit Over Open Meetings Violations
Charlotte, NC — Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) is under scrutiny as a federal lawsuit has been filed, alleging violations of North Carolina’s open meetings and public records laws, as well as infringements on First Amendment rights. This case, originally initiated by the Southern Coalition for Social Justice in state court, was moved to federal jurisdiction at CPCC’s request.
The lawsuit stems from contentious plans for a proposed public safety training facility at CPCC’s Levine Campus in Matthews. The facility, termed "Community Lifeline," includes a 23-acre training center for emergency responders and a 14-acre driver safety training area. Opposition from local activists has framed the project as "Cop City," drawing parallels to the ongoing protests against a similar training facility in Atlanta.
Central to the lawsuit are allegations regarding limited access to Board of Trustees meetings. Plaintiffs assert that during a March 12 meeting, only 14 out of approximately 30 attendees were admitted under fire safety claims. Security staff enforced identification checks, contradicting the open meetings law, which permits public attendance without ID. One of the plaintiffs, Xavier T. de Janon, expressed frustration over perceived retaliation against community inquiries for transparency regarding the facility.
Legal representatives for CPCC contended that no one was denied access and asserted that any identified reasons for entering a closed session were valid. However, concerns have been raised over the legality of closed sessions where critical discussions about public spending occurred.
As the case unfolds, plaintiffs are advocating for greater transparency and have filed motions demanding that all pertinent information about the facility be made public and that campus bans against involved individuals be lifted. There is a growing sentiment that the current climate risks stifling community engagement and trust in public institutions.
The legal proceedings will continue to highlight the importance of open governance in addressing community concerns effectively.
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