Emancipate NC secured a significant victory in Wake County District Court last week, as all charges were dismissed against union organizers who were unlawfully removed from Amazon’s worksite in December. The pair were represented by Dillon Sharpe.
On December 6, 2024, two organizers with Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity & Empowerment (CAUSE) were arrested at Amazon RDU1. CAUSE is a worker-led movement dedicated to defending workers’ rights and fighting corruption and exploitation by Amazon. Before their arrests, Emancipate NC’s clients were engaged in lawful union activities, including distributing food, water, union interest cards, and other important information to Amazon employees. However, Amazon called the Garner Police.
When the police arrived, Amazon managers instructed people to leave. As one of our clients was complying and walking away, an officer asked for her ID. She responded with the critical question: “Am I being detained?” The officer replied, “No.” Our client then continued to leave.
Despite this, the officer suddenly grabbed her arm, stopped her from leaving, and placed her under arrest. She and others were charged—this client with Resisting a Public Officer, and another organizer with Second-Degree Trespassing.
Their court hearing took place on February 18, 2025, in Courtroom 201 before Honorable District Court Judge Blair Williams. The first case went to trial, where the prosecution presented body-worn camera footage that clearly showed our client asking whether she was being detained. After reviewing the evidence, Judge Williams granted our motion to dismiss, ruling that the arrest violated her Fourth Amendment rights and was therefore unconstitutional. The footage confirmed that the officer told her she was not being detained—yet still proceeded to detain her.
At the end of the day, the District Attorney requested a continuance on the second case, citing a missing witness. However, the judge denied the request, noting that Amazon had been properly notified about the trial. As a result, the charges were voluntarily dismissed.