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Tennessee Highway Patrol Refutes Claims of Trooper Striking Protester at Memphis Anti-ICE Rally
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has released dashcam footage to counter allegations that a state trooper struck a demonstrator with his vehicle during an anti-immigration protest in Memphis over the weekend.
The incident, which quickly gained traction on social media, occurred during an “ICE Out for Good” demonstration organized by Indivisible Memphis on Sunday. Cell phone video circulating online appeared to show a THP patrol vehicle approaching a protester before the individual dropped out of frame, fueling speculation that the person had been hit by the trooper’s cruiser.
On Tuesday morning, THP addressed the allegations directly through their official social media channels, sharing dashcam footage from inside the trooper’s vehicle to provide additional context to the encounter.
“Claims circulating on social media that a person was hit by a THP trooper in Memphis are false,” the agency stated. “Video shows the individual holding the vehicle, lying down, then standing up and leaving on his own. Peaceful protest is protected. Entering active roadways is not and risks lives.”
The Memphis demonstration was one of many protests that have erupted across Tennessee and nationwide following the controversial fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis. The incident has intensified the already heated national debate surrounding federal immigration enforcement tactics under the Trump administration.
Critics of the shooting have characterized it as murder, with protesters demanding the withdrawal of ICE agents from Minneapolis and other cities where President Donald Trump has deployed federal officers, including Memphis. The demonstrations reflect growing tensions between immigration enforcement agencies and communities concerned about civil rights and excessive use of force.
The Trump administration has strongly defended the ICE officer involved in the Minneapolis shooting, maintaining that the agent followed proper protocol and fired in self-defense during the encounter with Good. This official stance has done little to quell public outrage, as protests continue to gain momentum across the country.
Sunday’s Memphis rally specifically targeted the increased presence of U.S. Department of Homeland Security forces in the city, reflecting broader concerns about federal law enforcement operations in urban areas. Similar protests have been organized in several major cities as part of a coordinated response to both the Minneapolis shooting and broader immigration enforcement policies.
The incident involving the THP trooper highlights the increasingly tense relationship between law enforcement and demonstrators at such events. While the highway patrol has used video evidence to refute claims of a protester being struck, the episode underscores the volatility that can develop when protests spill onto active roadways.
Law enforcement agencies nationwide have been emphasizing the dangers of protesters entering traffic lanes, citing safety concerns for both demonstrators and motorists. THP’s statement reinforced this position, drawing a distinction between constitutionally protected peaceful assembly and actions that potentially endanger public safety.
The Memphis protest is part of a broader pattern of civil unrest in response to immigration enforcement actions that have intensified under the current administration. As federal agencies continue operations in cities across the country, community organizations like Indivisible Memphis have mobilized to oppose what they view as excessive and harmful enforcement measures.
As demonstrations continue, both protesters and law enforcement remain on high alert, with increased scrutiny of interactions between officers and demonstrators amid heightened public sensitivity to potential misconduct or excessive force.
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7 Comments
Glad to see the THP move swiftly to refute the social media claims. Transparency and facts are so important, especially when high-tension situations like this arise. Hopefully this helps calm tensions.
Glad to see the Tennessee Highway Patrol provide transparency and clear up the allegations. It’s important to have the full context before jumping to conclusions, especially when public safety is involved during protests.
The dashcam footage seems to back up the THP’s version of events. While accusations can spread quickly online, it’s reassuring to see the authorities take the time to thoroughly investigate and provide the full context.
Appreciate the THP being transparent about this incident. Maintaining public order during protests is delicate work, and having clear evidence helps avoid unfounded claims and preserve trust in law enforcement.
The dashcam footage helps give a more complete picture of what happened. While allegations can spread quickly online, it’s good the THP took the time to address the situation and provide the actual facts.
Interesting to get the THP’s side of the story here. It’s always good when authorities can provide clear evidence to back up their account of events, rather than just relying on partial footage or hearsay.
This seems like a responsible response from the authorities. Peaceful protest is critical, but safety has to be the top priority when demonstrations occur on active roadways. Glad no one was seriously injured.