NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Activists have now spent 25 days protesting at or near Legislative Plaza in their continuing calls for change.
State troopers took 55 demonstrators into custody at the State Capitol Saturday evening following protests downtown. The group Peoples Plaza TN issued a letter early Tuesday morning, claiming some were mistreated.
“During the arrests, protesters were forcefully pulled from the crowd, resulting in several injuries. Protesters who were walking away from the scene were also grabbed and detained. Property was seized without reason and some have yet to be returned. Protesters who simply laid on the ground were charged with resisting arrest,” the letter said in part.
The letter also claims one protester was sedated during their arrest, while others were questioned without attorneys. They claim social distancing was not followed in jail, and they were denied food, water and medical care for 12 hours after arrests this Saturday.
This comes one day after Rep. Mike Stewart (D – Nashville) sent a letter to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner asking the highway patrol to treat demonstrators with more care.
