CHAZ 2.0? Nashville protesters descend on Tennessee Capitol as governor vows ‘autonomous zones will not be tolerated’
Taking cues from Seattle, protesters in Nashville are attempting to create their own “autonomous zone” near the Tennessee Capitol,
but the governor is having none of it, warning that “lawlessness” will not stand in his state.
but the governor is having none of it, warning that “lawlessness” will not stand in his state.
A small group of demonstrators showed up to Nashville’s Legislative Plaza near the state capitol on Friday, setting up a tent and tables, laying out food and even informally renaming the area to “
Ida B. Wells Plaza” after the famed civil rights leader. The move mirrors a similar effort in Seattle, where activists have occupied several city blocks and an abandoned police station for nearly a week, fashioning an “autonomous zone” along the lines of an anarchist commune.
In videos shared online, a small crowd of activists could be seen at Nashville’s fledgling free zone, banging drums and chanting slogans in a festive atmosphereNOW: Protesters are setting up a “Capitol Hill #AutonomousZone” in #Nashville, they say reclaiming the people’s land. This is where protesters took down the Edward Carmack Statue on March 30th. They’ve now “renamed” Legislative Plaza “Ida B Wells Plaza.” @WKRN pic.twitter.com/d883UCtx1K— Stassy Olmos (@StassyOlmosWKRN) June 12, 2020
Some protesters plan to spend the night in the plaza, according to local media, despite a stern warning from the governor to clear out.
Philly autonomous zone would like a wall please pic.twitter.com/Ug452NiThI— maria viti (@selfdeclaredref) June 12, 2020
Unlike Seattle’s more abiding mayor – who has shown no willingness to interfere with the city’s protester encampment, even amid police complaints
that it has interfered with their ability to respond to violent crime – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee immediately told the occupiers they would not be allowed to remain.
Went to cover the protest in front of the Tennessee Capitol this evening. I was there until after dark. Peaceful... and I met some really nice people. #BlackLivesMatter #nashvilleprotest #Nashville pic.twitter.com/uMj7FTJ9aM— Shane Raynor (@ShaneRaynor) June 13, 2020
While it’s unclear if any effort has yet been made to remove the demonstrators, the job may become vastly more difficult on Saturday,
when more than 5,000 people are expected to march on Capitol Hill, part of ongoing protests against police brutality sparked by the killing of George Floyd in May.
