Join Emancipate NC in Greenville, North Carolina, on June 23, 2025, for a press conference in support of Anthony Drayton, who was violently assaulted by Greenville police officers earlier this year.
Emancipate NC Attorney Dillon Sharpe represents Mr. Drayton on charges stemming from the incident and has successfully petitioned for the body camera footage. While the footage is not yet available for public release, civilian video from the scene already tells the truth—despite the Greenville Police Department’s dangerous and false claims.
📹 Watch the civilian video here→
On February 24, 2025, Mr. Drayton was a paying customer at a local McDonald’s when police were called. Though he calmly attempted to leave as requested, Officer C. Stokes escalated the situation. Despite Mr. Drayton never striking the officer, Stokes violently forced him into a booth, kicked him, and pulled out a nightstick. When additional officers arrived, Mr. Drayton—compliant and face down—was further assaulted.
Most egregiously, Officer Jennifer Umphlet struck Mr. Drayton in the back of the head three times with steel handcuffs, inflicting needless violence while Mr. Drayton posed no threat.
Mr. Drayton now faces misdemeanor charges of Assault on a Government Official and Resisting a Public Officer. These charges are an insult to the trauma he endured—and we are calling for them to be dropped.
Show Up for Justice:
🗓 Press Conference: June 23, 2025
🗓 Court Date: June 25, 2025
📍 Location: Pitt County Courthouse, Courtroom DC01
We demand accountability: Drop the charges. Fire Officers Stokes and Umphlet.
Stand with Anthony Drayton. Show up. Speak out. Demand justice.