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Young Charlotte Girl Chokes Back Tears At City Council Meeting

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CBSNewYork) -- Sometimes the smallest voices can have the biggest impact.

That was the case at a city council meeting in Charlotte on Monday night.

A girl named Zianna, believed to be about 10 years old, shared her thoughts on the fatal police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott and the protests that followed.

"We are black people and we shouldn't have to feel like this," she said choking back tears. "We shouldn't have to protest because you all are treating us wrong. We do this because we need to and have rights."

Zianna started sobbing as the crowd applauded behind her, cheering her on.

"I been born and raised in Charlotte and I never felt this way until now," she continued.

"Our fathers and mothers are killed and we can't even see them anymore," she went on to say. "It's a shame that we have to go to the graveyard and bury them. And we have tears, and we shouldn't have tears."

Zianna received a standing ovation as the crowd chanted, "no justice, no peace."

More than 50 people of all ages spoke at the meeting.

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