CLT Artist: Painting of Cop Killing Is Misinterpreted

CHARLOTTE, NC — A Charlotte artist’s painting of the murder of a police officer is infuriating people across the globe.

The question critics are asking: is it protected freedom of speech.

The artist, Cepeda Brunson, agreed to speak with WCCB Charlotte’s Courtney Francisco first about the image.

WCCB Charlotte only showed portions of the painting in our video because some consider it too graphic.

To see a full photo of the painting, click here.

“This is not a literal image to go out and kill cops,” said Brunson.

The painting depicts a shadow figure cutting a police officer’s throat.

“It’s all symbolism. It’s not a physical death. It’s the death that we’re going through now: not having the jobs and opportunities that my people need to have to take care of their families,” said Brunson. “and also lower class white people and also our brown brothers and sisters.”

Brunson says he painted it July 4.

That was days before police in Louisiana and Minnesota shot two black men who did not have guns in their hands.

It was days before the Dallas sniper killed five police officers at a peaceful black lives matter March.

“I don’t promote violence at all,” said Brunson. “And my image is not to provoke violence.”

Intentions aside, critics say it does incite violence and question whether it’s legal.

“The first amendment is there to protect all kinds of speech,” said former Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Broyles.

“A passive depiction of vile, mean spirited, hateful killing of police officers, as despicable and detestable as that be, it’s still protected,” said Broyles.

Broyles says the only way it could lose First Amendment protection is if the artist showed it to a family member of a police officer recently killed on duty and that incited that person to show violence toward the artist. Broyles says that could be prosecuted under “fighting words.”

“I started receiving a lot of hate mail,” said Brunson.

Brunson shared a threatening voicemail with WCCB Charlotte.

The person says, “You’re a dead man, n*****.”

Brunson didn’t report the threat.

“With an image out there like that, I wouldn’t contact the police for something like that,” said Brunson.

He says the art community is trying to oust him.

“My freedom of expression is being taken away from me,” said Brunson.