Tennessee George Floyd protests: What we know Monday

Police brutality protests have popped up in communities across Tennessee in recent days. 

The demonstrations are in response to police killing George Floyd in Minneapolis and other black men and women who have died at the hands of law enforcement. Some have resulted in property destruction and clashes with police.  

The state is just one of several experiencing protests in the U.S.

Here is what you need to know about about what is happening in Tennessee: 

National Guard lay down shields at vigil for black lives

During a vigil for black lives outside the Tennessee State Capitol on Monday evening, Justin Jones asked National Guard members who were guarding the building to lay down their riot shields. 

They did.

Jones and other demonstrators had gathered for a vigil to coincide with the first day the 111th Tennessee General Assembly is back in session.

Organizers were demanding that lawmakers "prioritize policies that protect our communities," according to a tweet about the vigil. Several Democratic state lawmakers walked out of the statehouse Monday night to stand with the protesters. Republican lawmakers and a few Democrats watched the scene from the statehouse's balcony. 

State troopers and members of the National Guard also stood outside the state house. They formed a wall with their bodies and blocked the crowd of more than 100 people from walking up to the capitol. 

The protesters chanted together, asking the National Guard and state troopers, "Why are you in riot gear?"

After the members dropped their shields, the crowd began to sing.

Before moving to the steps of the capitol, the vigil began across the street at Legislative Plaza where speakers addressed the crowd. 

"I’m not a fan of violence and looting, but I’m not going to condemn it either," Albert Bender, a Cherokee activist, said to the crowd. His comment was met with applause. Bender also called out the news media for reporting on it.

Lacrisha Johnson brought her daughter Kingsley to the Monday night event. 

"I have to plant the foundation for her young," Johnson said. "She can see solidarity. She can see things being peaceful."

Memphis also under 10 p.m. curfew Monday

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland declared Monday that a citywide curfew will take effect at 10 p.m. It will remain in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday. 

Strickland said the curfew could persist as long as necessary, indicating it will likely be renewed. It does not apply to those deemed "essential workers" as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the property damage seen Sunday night and early Monday prompted the decision to issue the curfew. 

Strickland announced the curfew at an afternoon news conference that followed the fifth night of protests in Memphis against nationwide police brutality. During the news conference and in announcing the curfew, Strickland praised how peaceful Memphis protests had been and the passion he had seen.

Nashville has 10 p.m. curfew Monday

Mayor John Cooper said during a briefing Monday morning that a curfew will be in place in Nashville from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.

He said he will review a curfew on a daily basis, along with his executive order declaring a state of emergency. He once again denounced the vandalism and fires that happened Saturday night. 

More:Related: What are the rules of curfew?

Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson said investigation has not stopped into finding those responsible for the damage done to about 30 buildings downtown. 

"We will find those involved in these criminal acts and prosecute them," Cooper said. "Our police officers showed tremendous restraint on Saturday."

Tennessee National Guard deployment

Chris Messina, a spokesman for the Tennessee National Guard, said roughly 450 service members were deployed throughout the state on Sunday. As was the case when 75 guardsmen were deployed in Nashville on Saturday, the service members provided assistance to local and state law enforcement officials and first responders.

Messina would not provide a location breakdown, citing the “ongoing situation” and the need to “maintain operational security.”

It is unclear how long the National Guard’s deployment will last, with no end date currently date set, Messina said.

Police make arson arrest in courthouse fire 

Nashville police arrested a 25-year-old man on felony arson and vandalism charges in connection with the fire set Saturday night in the Metro Nashville courthouse. 

Detectives from the specialized investigations division and SWAT officers took Wesley Somers into custody on Sunday night, according to a Twitter post from the Metro Nashville Police Department. The arrest was made at a home on Manzano Road in the city's Madison neighborhood, police said.  

More:Nashville police: Arrest made in historic courthouse fire

The historic building, which serves as Nashville's city hall, was damaged and set on fire following the peaceful "I Will Breathe" rally.

Police were able to identify Somers with help from the community. Somers is also facing a disorderly conduct charge. He was booked into the Metro Jail.  

The investigation into the courthouse fire and other vandalism is ongoing. 

Protests spread to Murfreesboro

In Murfreesboro, police and protesters met face-to-face both downtown and on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.

At MTSU, a group of about 50 protesters marched toward Forrest Hall — a building named for Ku Klux Klan founder Nathan Bedford Forrest — before being intercepted by police in armored vehicles who threw tear gas canisters. Police said the canisters were used to disperse protesters who were blocking traffic by laying in the street. Police and protesters eventually negotiated a peace and were seen posing for photos and calming walking off campus together.

More:Protesters leave after police threaten mass arrests in downtown Murfreesboro

The meeting was not so amicable downtown, however. A line of cops, including some on horseback, advanced on protesters while threatening mass arrests for violating a curfew. At one point, officers could be seen surrounding and tackling a young man as the crowd shouted in anger and cars blared their horns.

“You’re the last one’s here,” an unidentified police officer said as he pressured a group to leave. “Don’t be the last ones here, because you’ll be the first ones arrested.”

The protest was over, and downtown Murfreesboro was empty by 8:30 p.m.

Police looking for people they say hijacked Nashville demonstration

Nashville police are trying to identify 20 to 30 people who they say hijacked Saturday's demonstration. 

Police Chief Steve Anderson said the vast majority of more than 1,000 protesters remained peaceful. Video footage from the Central Precinct and the Metro Courthouse in downtown Nashville showed isolated agitators leading the violence, destruction and arson.

Exclusive: Nashville police looking for 20-30 people they say drove violence during Saturday protest

Photos and video from the Nashville protest showed people dressed in all black with backpacks moving through the crowd that gathered to protest the death. Other photos show unidentified individuals breaking windows and starting fires inside the Metro Courthouse. Many of the people seen vandalizing buildings appeared to be white.

Police are establishing a dedicated email to collect tips about the protest. People can send information, photos and videos to NashvilleArsonInvestigation2020@nashville.gov.

Anderson did not know if any of the isolated agitators were among the 28 people arrested during and after the protest.

More National Guard members deployed

Faced with the possibility of additional violence, Gov. Bill Lee said Sunday he is increasing a deployment of the Tennessee National Guard to help with law enforcement, this time in all three divisions of the state.

The governor made the announcement one day after 75 guardsmen were deployed in Nashville in response to an eruption of violence. The rancor occurred after a peaceful rally attended by thousands of Tennesseans who were protesting police brutality and racism.

More:Gov. Lee orders more National Guard members deployed across Tennessee to assist police

The governor did not say how many and exactly where the guardsmen will be deployed Sunday.

Additionally, Lee announced a joint effort between the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement to investigate Saturday's violence in Nashville, which he said was provoked by many non-Tennesseans.

Honky-tonk owners assess damage after Saturday protest

Businesses in Nashville's honky-tonk district were damaged in Saturday's protest. 

Members of The Stage's staff fortified themselves in the business' back office Saturday night as people broke through the Broadway bar's windows.

They had closed early as a peaceful protest against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd was followed by destruction in downtown Nashville. The staff, unable to leave in time, waited for it to end.

When the sun rose Sunday, it revealed broken glass, a smashed cash register, stage equipment dragged into the street and potential evidence that someone tried — unsuccessfully — to start a fire. At least 30 businesses were damaged overnight.

"We've had a lot of folks helping (clean up), and that's the main thing, that everybody's OK," owner Brenda Sanderson told The Tennessean on Sunday morning.

Multiple community members volunteered in the cleanup effort Sunday, scrubbing spray paint off walls, boarding windows and sweeping shattered glass.