NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — For three days straight, demonstrators have rallied outside of the State Capitol at Legislative Plaza.
On Monday, the activists tried to walk up to the Capitol but were stopped by a line of Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers. One woman was detained by troopers when she tried to cross the barrier.
Standing face-to-face with the troopers, the group, led by activists Justin Jones, demanded the woman be released. A THP captain answered Jones saying she would be cited then released.
After addressing law enforcement and nearby lawmakers several times, the crowd was told they weren't being allowed inside due to COVID-19 concerns.
Representative Mike Stewart answered some of their questions and said he disagreed with the decision to keep the crowd out. He invited five of them to come inside as his guests. However, the activists said they wouldn't go until the woman was released or they could all go in.
About an hour later, the woman who had been detained returned to the crowd.
The activists changed the words to the gospel song "Wade in the Water," to say "Wade in the Plaza." They also chanted things "history will remember you," as lawmakers watched from the Capitol above.
The National Guard later responded to the Capitol to assist THP.
Later in the evening, House Speaker Cameron Sexton told NewsChannel 5 protesters weren't allowed inside because its operating under COVID-19 guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and the building was already at capacity.
However, THP released the following contradictory statement saying it was because the grounds were closed for cleaning.
"The Tennessee Highway Patrol does not set the number of people who can enter into the Capital. That is set by the leaders of the House and Senate. The grounds of the Capital were previously vandalized with graffiti by the group who is currently assembled. The removal of the graffiti required the capital grounds to be pressure washed and cleaned. This is why troopers are not permitting protesters on the grounds."
As a note, from what NewsChannel 5 crews saw, the graffiti was in chalk.
