George Floyd protests in Tennessee

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

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

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

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]

Knoxville

Hundreds of protesters demonstrated on Friday evening in front of police headquarters and then marched through downtown Knoxville.[9]

Memphis
A street sign in Memphis, vandalized with "BLM"

Silent demonstrations of around 40 people protesting the deaths of Floyd, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, and Ahmaud Arbery, led to "verbal confrontations" with Memphis police and two counter-protesters from the Facebook group Confederate 901.[10] On May 27, protesters shut down Union Avenue near McLean Boulevard.[11] 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."[12][13] 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.[14] 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.[15]

Murfreesboro

On May 31, a group of about 50 protesters marched toward a building on the Middle Tennessee State University campus named after 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.[16] Mayor Shane McFarland issued a state of emergency order. A curfew was in effect as of 6:30 pm.[17]

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; protesters peacefully demonstrated in Legislative Plaza and then marched to a police department.[18] 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.[19][20][21]

The "Nashville Autonomous Zone"

The Nashville Autonomous Zone (NAZ), sometimes referred to as the Ida B. Wells Plaza, is a self-declared autonomous zone on the Capitol grounds of Nashville, Tennessee. Modeled on the preceding Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, the Nashville Zone was established on June 12, 2020, during the George Floyd protests and ran into the next week.[22][23][24]

Local governance in the Zone was decentralized, with the goal of creating a zone without police. Free food and water was available for activists.[25]

On June 12th 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]

Five days earlier, protesters in Seattle had declared the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, which inspired the Nashville effort with some calling the NAZ the "CHAZ of the South".[27]

Territory

The protesters occupied Legislative Plaza, just south of the Tennessee State Capitol. There was previously a Statue of Edward Carmack, which had been toppled by other protesters in May.[28] Protesters renamed the plaza "Ida B. Wells Plaza". It has been transformed into an arts space.[29]

Demands

Alternatively, protesters have said that they would remain until Governor Lee agrees to defund the police, or to come in person and discuss police brutality with them.[27][29][30] Purported demands associated with the Zone included the abolition or defunding of police, the firing of the Nashville Chief of Police, and the removal of monuments believed to be racist.

Reactions

The Nashville PD said that they are monitoring the situation in coordination with other law enforcement agencies.[27]

Mike Stewart, Tennessee State House Democratic Caucus chair, stopped by and said; "Seems like an unbelievably peaceful gathering."[29]

Governor Bill Lee warned against the creation of the Zone, saying that he would enforce the laws of the State.[31]

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. "Hundreds peacefully protest for George Floyd in Chattanooga". timesfreepress.com. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  4. "National Guard, tear gas deployed as tensions rise on second day of George Floyd protests in Chattanooga". timesfreepress.com. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  5. "Chattanooga police arrested man atop building with loaded AK-47 during George Floyd demonstrations". timesfreepress.com. 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". Jackson Sun. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  9. Dorman, Travis. "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.
  10. 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.
  11. "Protest against police brutality shuts down Union Avenue". wmcactionnews5.com.
  12. Richard, Brandon. "Officers in riot gear descend on Beale Street, 201 Poplar". WMC Action News 5. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  13. 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.
  14. Stennett, Desiree; Burgess, Katherine; Kennedy, Corinne S. "Memphis protests: Sunday marks fifth night of demonstrations". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  15. "Curfew for City of Memphis extended, civil emergency still in place". wmcactionnews5.com.
  16. DeGennaro, Nancy; Spears, Joseph; Hineman, Brinley; Kelman, Brett; Broden, Scott. "Protesters leave after police threaten mass arrests in downtown Murfreesboro". DNJ. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  17. "Curfew now in effect for Murfreesboro after mayor issues local 'state of emergency'". WKRN News 2. May 31, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  18. Wenzel, Ethan Illers, Joe. "Protests continue at police department, courthouse in Nashville". WSMV Nashville. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  19. "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.
  20. Mojica, Adrian (May 30, 2020). "Nashville mayor declares State of Civil Emergency, governor mobilizes National Guard". WZTV. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  21. "Nashville endures decimation, isolation — and now, a peaceful uprising turned destructive". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  22. Olmos, Stassy (June 13, 2020). "Thousands join March for Justice through downtown Saturday". WKRN-TV. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  23. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2020/jun/15/tennessee-bill-would-increase-penalties-illegal-camping-graffiti/525398/
  24. https://www.9and10news.com/i/the-latest-france-backs-off-ban-on-chokeholds-2/
  25. Bogard, Catlin (June 12, 2020). "Demonstrators set up camp on Capitol Hill against the advice of the governor". WTVF.
  26. 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. Hineman, Brinley; Allison, Natalie (June 12, 2020). "Protesters plan to camp out in front of Capitol, claiming area as autonomous zone". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  29. Ramirez, Alejandro (June 13, 2020). "Activists Camp Outside the Capitol Building to Protest Police Brutality". Nashville Scene.
  30. Cotton, CB; Gill, Joey; Olmos, Stassy (June 12, 2020). "'Free Capitol Hill' demonstrators take over Capitol Hill on Friday". WKRN.
  31. McEvoy, Jemima (June 12, 2020). "Tennessee Governor Warns Protesters Against Creating Nashville Autonomous Zone". Forbes.
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