NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Buildings were damaged and officers were attacked as protests continue in downtown Nashville on Saturday evening.
Edward Carmack statue was knocked over at the State Capitol. Tennessee Highway Patrol is at the State Capitol, according to tweets from State Rep. Jason Zachary.
Demonstrators marched through downtown Nashville to a Metro Police Department. News 4, a WBIR sister station, saw damage to police cruisers, graffiti to buildings and at least one person was mased. To see the demonstration in front of police department, click here.
The demonstrators were remembering people and saying the names of those they say were killed by brutality including George Floyd.
A fire has started inside the Metro Nashville Courthouse as protests continue in downtown Nashville on Saturday evening.
Metro Police Department deployed gas at the Historic Courthouse to protect the building after a fire was set by protesters. Firefighters are being escorted to building by officers.
News 4 has located buildings damaged on Third Avenue. There is damage to the courthouse in Nashville and protesters were seen throwing police bicycles.
WeGo bus service temporarily suspended service on Saturday night "to protect the safety of riders and drivers" as protests continue in downtown Nashville. WeGo said it will let customers "know when regular operations resume."
Protesters continue demonstrating in front of Metro Police Department and the Metro Nashville Courthouse after the "I Will Breathe" rally and march were held on Saturday afternoon.
Mayor John Cooper was in attendance at Saturday's rally and said it was peaceful in nature.
"We cannot let today’s message of reform descend into further violence. If you mean our city harm, go home," Cooper tweeted on Saturday night.
The president of the local NAACP and Nation of Islam along with several local pastors all challenged the crowd to get involved in local politics, vote, and push minority agendas.
"This is injustice that has been going on for way too long, in our nation for way too long," Rev. Lalita Smith said. "It’s time for change, it’s time for justice, it’s time for recompense to be brought forth. I’m here to fight for those things."
The demonstrators were remembering people and saying the names of those they say were killed by brutality including George Floyd.
The crowd grew restless especially towards State Rep. Mike Stewart. The crowd wanted to know what action he’d was planning to take, and he said he would spend more time listening.
Almost all the speakers spoke to change that needs to come within our police department.
"At the end of the day, what I want to see in the future is the quality," demonstrator Edward Lynch said. "I want that flag to stand for me too."
"I don’t wanna have to teach my kid how to survive just because he’s black," demonstrator Dominique Brown said. "It’s not right. He does not deserve to be shot down like deer in the woods."
News 4 has learned that all Tennessee state troopers cannot leave their shift, until they are otherwise told. All off duty troopers were called in on Saturday. Troopers from Chattanooga and Cookeville are also in Nashville on Saturday.
Local leaders told demonstrators change will only come if more people get involved and meet regular to change the agenda in local government and vote. At least one speaker asked Cooper to de-fund the police department.
