North Carolina governor Roy Cooper addressed the protests taking place throughout the state Sunday.
Nationwide demonstrators have taken to the streets in protest of the death of George Floyd, a Minneapolis man who dies in Police custody. Video of the incident sparked national outrage as officers are seen pinning Floyd to the ground with one kneeling on his neck.
Cooper said Sunday that it was important the protesters voices be heard but added he wanted to make sure violent acts and vandalism didn't drown out the the message of the the protesters.
The Governor said that 450 national guardsmen will be deployed in Charlotte and Raleigh to assist in public safety efforts.
He said the guardsmen are trained in protecting public structures but stressed that "people are more important than property."