Strickland says he shares protesters’ frustration, criticizes lack of social distancing that created risk
After an hours-long protest Wednesday evening over the 2020 killings of black Americans in Minneapolis, Louisville and in Georgia, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said he understood and shared the frustration of protesters, but with a caveat. He said the protesters’ lack of social distancing put Memphis Police Department officers and themselves at risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19.
“It’s right and understandable for people to express their
frustration through peaceful protest; however, I wish last night's protesters would have all had on masks, been six feet apart, and gone through the proper channels to ensure everyone's safety. By not doing so, protesters and our officers were unnecessarily put at risk,” Strickland said in a statement.
However, Strickland said he, too was frustrated with the deaths, noting the Monday killing of unarmed George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. He said “all true police officers” felt the same.
“I understand and share your frustration with what happened in Minneapolis and other parts of the country. Police Director Mike Rallings shares your frustration, and so do all the true police officers – men and women who put on the uniform every day to protect and serve,” Strickland said. “All cities and police departments have a responsibility to protect citizens from harm and to fight crime.but all of us – city governments, police departments, and the public – should expect police to protect and serve in a way that is responsible.”
During a news conference about COVID-19 Thursday, Strickland added that he is angered by what he saw on the video of Floyd's death.
“When I watch that video of what occurred in Minneapolis – I understand there may be more footage, more body cam footage that may show some different side of the story, but from what I've seen, it does anger me,” Strickland said. “I can understand why people are angry and sad, and frustrated that these things seem to occur over and over.”
The protest over the deaths of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor began on Union Avenue in Midtown Memphis after 7 p.m. Wednesday as a largely social distanced gathering where protesters stood spaced out and most wore masks. The social media posts announcing the protest told attendees to prepare to social distance.
However, after the arrival of counterprotesters, the use of barricades by police and an influx of new protesters throughout the evening, the group began to congregate en masse and many did not wear masks.
At one point in the evening, dozens of protesters, media members and MPD personnel crowded around one another as activist Theryn Bond and others expressed their frustration with the actions of police generally and the demeanor of MPD throughout the evening.
While the protesters verbally confronted MPD leadership on the scene, MPD personnel also stood shoulder-toshoulder behind a nearby barricade. Most members of MPD on the scene wore masks. Some did not. Throughout the evening, some officers and protesters alike could be seen standing close together in small groups.
The MPD personnel facing protesters included Deputy Chief Samuel Hines. Hines and Bond, who were both wearing masks, spoke to one another from about six or seven feet apart. They were surrounded by several dozen people, packed in tight.
The city of Memphis clarified what Strickland meant by “proper channels.”
City spokesman Dan Springer said the group did not apply for a protest permit. He did not immediately respond to an inquiry about if one would have been granted given the social distancing restrictions still in place in Memphis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Memphis and Shelby County are currently in Phase 2 of the Back to Business framework, which has rules on how many people can gather.
“Purposeful groups of 50 or more are not permitted, although gatherings of 50+ may be allowable if supported by the characteristics of the space and a clear social distancing plan,” according to Memphis' website.
Strickland's full statement can be seen below.
“I understand and share your frustration with what happened in Minneapolis and other parts of the country. Police Director, Mike Rallings shares your frustration, and so do all the true police officers – men and women who put on the uniform every day to protect and serve. All cities and police departments have a responsibility to protect citizens from harm and to fight crime. But all of us – city governments, police departments, and the public – should expect police to protect and serve in a way that is responsible. It's right and understandable for people to express their frustration through peaceful protest; however, I wish last night's protesters would have all had on masks, been six feet apart, and gone through the proper channels to ensure everyone's safety. By not doing so, protesters and our officers were unnecessarily put at risk. I'm proud of the Memphis Police Department and the way our officers conducted themselves last night.”
– Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland