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George Floyd protests in Tennessee

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George Floyd protests in Tennessee
Part of George Floyd protests
Crowd of protestors in front of the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville
Location
Tennessee, United States
Map
Cities in Tennessee in which a protest with about 100 or more participants was held (
)

The murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 triggered a wave of protests throughout Tennessee in late May and early June 2020.

Locations

Bristol

On June 1, about 200 people held a candlelight vigil for George Floyd on State Street in both Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia.[1] The protests were largely peacefully held across the Tri-Cities region of Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee.[2]

Chattanooga

Hundreds protested at Miller Park followed by a march across the Walnut Street Bridge at mid-day on May 30.[3] On May 31, protesters marched from Coolidge Park to the Hamilton County Courthouse. After protesters removed some light fixtures and tore down a flag near the courthouse, the National Guard, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Chattanooga Police Department began arresting people and dispersing the crowds with tear gas.[4] On June 3, during the fifth day of peaceful protests, police arrested a man standing on a rooftop along the route of the march with multiple firearms including an AK-47 and six beers.[5]

Clarksville

On May 30, over 200 participated in a protest in Clarksville that shut down a major highway but remained peaceful.[6]

Cleveland

Dozens protested in downtown Cleveland in front of the Bradley County courthouse and headquarters of the Cleveland Police Department on May 31. The protest was peaceful, and included protesters discussing police brutality issues with local law enforcement.[7]

Jackson

Almost 200 protestors showed up to protest peacefully at Jackson City Hall on May 30.[8]

Johnson City

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Johnson City for several days on May 31. Several arrests were made.[9]

Knoxville

Hundreds of protesters demonstrated on May 29 in front of police headquarters and then marched through downtown Knoxville.[10]

Memphis

Silent demonstrations of around 40 people protesting the murder of Floyd, the death of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, and the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, led to "verbal confrontations" with Memphis police and two counter-protesters from the Facebook group Confederate 901.[11] On May 27, protesters shut down Union Avenue near McLean Boulevard.[12] Just after midnight Saturday night, police in riot gear clashed with a large crowd on Beale Street. Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer, who was on scene, tweeted: "Memphis police have threatened to use lethal force if we don't leave the parking lot. They have arrested our friends. We're not leaving."[13][14][non-primary source needed] On Sunday Evening May 31, the fifth straight day of protests, more riot police attempted to disperse a crowd of 100 that were occupying Main Street.[15] A curfew went into effect in Memphis, TN, on Monday, June 1, from 22:00 to 06:00, and was extended the following day to June 8.[16]

Murfreesboro

On May 31, a group of about 50 protesters marched toward a building on the Middle Tennessee State University campus named after Ku Klux Klan leader Nathan Bedford Forrest but were stopped by police in armored vehicles. Police accused protesters of vandalizing an armored car and throwing a brick through the window of a local business. A 12-year-old girl was injured by tear gas.[17] Mayor Shane McFarland issued a state of emergency order. A curfew was in effect as of 6:30 pm.[18]

Nashville

A protester poses in front of state troopers in Nashville, June 24, 2020

On May 30, thousands gathered for a protest in downtown Nashville, the capital of Tennessee; protesters peacefully demonstrated in Legislative Plaza and then marched to a police department.[19] In the evening, the crowd damaged a police car, threw rocks and sprayed graffiti; at least 5 were arrested. Mayor John Cooper declared a state of emergency and called in the national guard after a spate of arsons, including the burning of Nashville's courthouse.[20][21][22]

The Nashville Autonomous Zone, sometimes referred to as the Ida B. Wells Plaza, was an attempt to declare an autonomous zone on the Capitol grounds of Nashville, Tennessee.[23][24][25] It was an attempt to mirror the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone of Seattle, though this "zone" never actually formed and was more of an occupational protest of the Tennessee State Capitol. On June 12 local activists called for protesters to occupy the Capitol grounds, starting at 5:00 p.m. local time.[26] Fliers circulated by organizers demanded "Fire Chief Anderson. Defund the Police. Demilitarize the Police. Remove Racist Statues."[27] In the wake of Occupy Wall Street the Tennessee State Legislature passed law making the occupation of State land after 10:00 p.m. a Class A misdemeanor.[26]

Aftermath

In August 2020, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed legislation in response to the protests that made it a felony to participate in certain types of protest.[28] Under the legislation, camping on state property is punishable by six years' imprisonment and the loss of the right to vote.[29] Tennessee was the first state to pass anti-protest legislation in response to the George Floyd protests.[29]

References

  1. ^ Wade, Sarah (June 1, 2020). "Candles, masks, mark Bristol vigil for George Floyd". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  2. ^ Arintok, Angelique (May 31, 2020). "Peaceful protests for George Floyd and Black Lives Matter movement take place all weekend". WCYB-TV. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  3. ^ Hughes, Rosana; Taylor, Sarah Grace; Filbin, Patrick (May 30, 2020). "Hundreds peacefully protest for George Floyd in Chattanooga". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  4. ^ Hughes, Rosana; Mangrum, Meghan; Taylor, Sarah Grace (June 1, 2020). "National Guard, tear gas deployed as tensions rise on second day of George Floyd protests in Chattanooga". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  5. ^ Hughes, Rosana (June 4, 2020). "Chattanooga police arrested man atop building with loaded AK-47 during George Floyd demonstrations". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  6. ^ Smith, Chris (May 31, 2020). "As protest shuts down highway, Clarksville mayor joins crowd in the street to listen to concerns". The Leaf-Chronicle. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  7. ^ Siniard, Tim (June 1, 2020). "Cleveland protesters meet face-to-face with CPD chief, Bradley County sheriff". Cleveland Daily Banner. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  8. ^ Amador, Stephanie; Friedman, Adam (May 30, 2020). "Peaceful Jackson protest in memory of George Floyd draws around 200". The Jackson Sun. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  9. ^ Roberts, Jonathan (May 31, 2020). "UPDATE: Several arrests made during Johnson City protest". Johnson City Press. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  10. ^ Dorman, Travis (May 29, 2020). "Hundreds demonstrate in Knoxville over Floyd's death; Mayor Kincannon condemns brutality". Knoxville News Sentinel. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  11. ^ Culver, Steve Kiggins and Jordan. "'Stop killing black people': George Floyd's death sparks protests in Minneapolis, Memphis, LA". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "Protest against police brutality shuts down Union Avenue". WMC-TV. May 27, 2020.
  13. ^ Richard, Brandon. "Officers in riot gear descend on Beale Street, 201 Poplar". WMC-TV. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  14. ^ Sawyer, Tami (May 31, 2020). "Memphis police have threatened to use lethal force if we don't leave the parking lot. They have arrested our friends. We're not leaving. Let them go. #MemphisProtest #BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd". @tamisawyer. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  15. ^ Stennett, Desiree; Burgess, Katherine; Kennedy, Corinne S. "Memphis protests: Sunday marks fifth night of demonstrations". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  16. ^ Curfew for City of Memphis extended, civil emergency still in place. June 2, 2020. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  17. ^ DeGennaro, Nancy; Spears, Joseph; Hineman, Brinley; Kelman, Brett; Broden, Scott. "Protesters leave after police threaten mass arrests in downtown Murfreesboro". The Daily News Journal. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  18. ^ Gill, Joey (May 31, 2020). "Curfew now in effect for Murfreesboro after mayor issues local 'state of emergency'". WKRN News 2. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  19. ^ Wenzel, Ethan Illers, Joe. "Protests continue at police department, courthouse in Nashville". WSMV Nashville. Retrieved May 31, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "Nashville 'I Will Breathe': At least 5 arrested, no officers injured at Metro Police central precinct". WKRN News 2. May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  21. ^ Mojica, Adrian (May 30, 2020). "Nashville mayor declares State of Civil Emergency, governor mobilizes National Guard". WZTV. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  22. ^ Bliss, Jessica. "Nashville endures decimation, isolation — and now, a peaceful uprising turned destructive". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  23. ^ Olmos, Stassy (June 13, 2020). "Thousands join March for Justice through downtown Saturday". WKRN-TV. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  24. ^ Kruesi, Kimberlee. "Tennessee bill would increase penalties for illegal camping, graffiti". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Associated Press.
  25. ^ "The Latest: France backs off ban on chokeholds". Associated Press. April 20, 2021.
  26. ^ a b Jorge, Kaylin (June 13, 2020). "Ahead of Capitol rally, Gov. Lee warns 'autonomous zones' will not be tolerated". WZTV. Sinclair Broadcast Group. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  27. ^ Dwilson, Stephanie Dube (June 12, 2020). "Nashville Autonomous Zone: Protesters Want to Create a Second CHAZ". Heavy.com.
  28. ^ Lacy, Akela (August 27, 2020). "Protesters in Multiple States Are Facing Felony Charges, Including Terrorism". The Intercept. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  29. ^ a b Kruesi, Kimberlee (August 31, 2020). "Some see age-old playbook in new Tennessee protest law". ABC News. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
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