Charleston, South Carolina — On Saturday, June 14, we broke the story of an incident involving police officers on horses, foot, bicycles, patrol cars, and a small group of demonstrators in downtown Charleston.
TAKE ACTION: SUPPORT SPANISH-LANGUAGE JOURNALISM
English-language media outlets, including NBC affiliate Channel 2, picked up the story.
Our reporting prompted a direct response from the Charleston Police Department.
On Monday, June 16, Charleston’s largest newspaper, The Post & Courier, published a story that included our reporting and the police department’s response.
In their statement, the authorities said, “We are aware of a video circulating on social media that shows a short portion of an encounter which occurred on Saturday on King Street. The incident involved a group that left the permitted demonstration at Hampton Park after it concluded.”
Today, we are publishing additional video footage that offers more context about what happened — from the moment the group left Hampton Park to after the arrest.
Nuestro Estado originally posted on Facebook and Instagram around 11:40am:
Charleston police officers send horses into a group of fewer than 10 people exercising their constitutional rights.
The group was walking along the sidewalk of the 700 block of King Street, heading toward their cars, when more than a dozen city police officers began to follow them.
Some officers initially told them they couldn’t do that. Then they told one person not to use a megaphone.
Officers acknowledged that the group had the right to demonstrate and keep walking. At the same time, they called for additional backup.
The individual with the megaphone was ultimately arrested.
Bystanders who were not part of the group confronted the officers, asking for their names and badge numbers. The officers refused to provide them.
As a news outlet committed to the community, we will continue investigating and publishing evidence that allows our readers to form an informed judgment. We as journalists — and the authorities — have an obligation to the truth, and the public deserves clear answers.
We stand by our reporting and our commitment to honesty and transparency. Below is the full, unedited statement from the Charleston Police Department.
"This past weekend, planned demonstrations across the city occurred as scheduled and were overwhelmingly peaceful. The Charleston Police Departments thanks the event organizers for their proactive coordination, clear communication, and successful management of their respective events. Their efforts contributed directly to a safe and respectful environment for all participants.
While two arrests were made over the course of the weekend, these were isolated incidents and are not reflective of the larger, permitted events or the organizers' commitment to peaceful expression.
We are aware of a video circulating on social media that shows a short portion of an encounter which occurred on Saturday on King Street. The incident involved a group that left the permitted demonstration at Hampton Park after it concluded. The individual shown in the video being arrested is Matthews Colburn (33, of Lake City). He was charged with public disorderly conduct. As officers effected the arrest, individuals from the group attempted to interfere.
As trained, the mounted unit, specifically Mount Riley, arrived to create space between the officers, the arrestee, and those attempting to disrupt the arrest. This was done effectively and without further incident
Claims that anyone was slammed into a brick wall, trampled, or that the rider lost control of the reins are false. No one was injured, Mount Riley was not harmed, and the group continued walking south on King Street following the encounter.
Charleston Police remain extremely grateful for our regional and state partners for their resource support and collaboration throughout the weekend. Their coordination and presence helped maintain a smooth and safe operation for everyone involved.
Chief Chito Walker offered the following statement:
“Those familiar with our city know that we have an expectation for peaceful demonstration, and this weekend was no exception. We recognize that these events carry deep personal meaning for many, and we respect the right to voice those views safely and lawfully. We want to make sure that everyone, regardless of opinion, is safe. That happens when rules are followed, civics matter, and there is a shared understanding of how this city operates. I am proud that nearly all of attendees came with that same purpose: to be heard, not to harm. No one was injured, and messages were delivered in full view of the community. That is a success by any measure, and it reflects what Charleston is capable of when we show up with respect, even when opinions differ.”
