MEMPHIS, Tenn. — UPDATE: Memphis Police have arrested 17 protesters. Most face disorderly conduct charges, but others are charged with inciting a riot.
Here is what the Memphis Police Department posted on Facebook Wednesday night:
Yesterday evening, a public notice was posted outside of Memphis City Hall located at 125 North Main. This notice advised that areas around Memphis City Hall would be under construction starting the morning of July 1, 2020.
This area, being a public safety concern, was to be cleared of all individuals and items so that no one would be injured and no property would be damaged during the preparation of construction and throughout the entirety of the construction project. The notice advised that no obstruction of the ingress/egress would be permitted, and a map indicating the areas was provided.
This morning, several individuals remained in the construction zone. The individuals were given advanced notice and were provided two alternative locations to relocate on the Civic Plaza; however still, several refused to disperse. MPD officers repeatedly asked all individuals to clear the area, and multiple announcements were made.
After several hours, officers approached the individuals who refused to clear the area and arrests were made.
One individual locked himself on a fence, some individuals locked arms and formed a line, some refused to walk and had to be carried out by police, and one officer was assaulted during this incident.
A total of 17 arrests were made; 9 physical arrests and 8 misdemeanor citations were issued in lieu of a physical arrest.
Below are the individuals and charges.
1. Ansley Allen (21)
Disorderly Conduct
2. Elinor Robbins (25)
Disorderly Conduct
3. Gillian Wenhold (23)
Disorderly Conduct
4. Eleanor Fisher (23)
Disorderly Conduct
5. Peyton Bladizon (19)
Disorderly Conduct
6. Matthew Germany (33)
Disorderly Conduct
7. Aubrey Toldi (26)
Disorderly Conduct
8. Evelyn Grizzle (28)
Disorderly Conduct
9. Edward Demster (40)
Disorderly Conduct
10. Brandon Price (27)
Disorderly Conduct
11. Zachary Barnard (26)
Disorderly Conduct
12. Elizabeth Parr (26)
Assault- misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct
Obstructing Highway/Passageway
Inciting to Riot
13. Vlada Volkova (22)
Assault- misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct
Obstructing Highway/Passageway
Inciting to Riot
14. Lakethen Mason (47)
Disorderly Conduct
Obstructing Highway/Passageway
Inciting to Riot
15. Aaron Copeland (18)
Disorderly Conduct
16. Corbin Diercks (18)
Disorderly Conduct
17. Brandon Lever (21)
Disorderly Conduct
---------------
Protesters and activists have been occupying Memphis City Hall for weeks, from people fighting to stay healthy to fighting for civil and human rights.
But, the City of Memphis has told protester that they need to go elsewhere.
A sign was posted on a fence at City Hall Tuesday around 3 p.m. saying "Memphis is getting ready to do construction and anyone around City Hall needs to relocate" because fencing will be put up in the construction zone.
Even thought Memphis police officers surrounded the area blocking it off early Wednesday morning, demonstrators told Local 24 News that they are prepared to stand their ground, even it if means being arrested.
Local 24 News received a video from one demonstrator showing two people being detained around 6:30 a.m., an hour before the vacate time of 7:30 a.m. Details as to what led to those arrests are unclear at this time.
Local 24 News has a crew on the scene and will continue to update this developing story.
Statement from Ursula Madden, Chief Communications Officer regarding City Hall construction
"Public safety, which includes the protestors camping on civic plaza, is the City of Memphis’ primary concern. Due to a phased renovation and construction project that has been underway since 2019, protestors in front of City Hall were given advanced notice to relocate so that needed construction equipment can be placed near the building. The protestors were also given two alternative locations on Civic Plaza to continue to exercise their first amendment rights—north of the fountain, or near the flag poles between City Hall and the Federal Building (map below).
Everyone was given sufficient time to leave or relocate. In addition to alternative protest sites, we also had representatives from Hospitality Hub onsite yesterday and this morning offering assistance and guidance on housing opportunities for anyone who may be experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
As has been reported for some time now, the roof of City Hall needed to be repaired to prevent leaks inside the building, most notable inside City Council chambers. In addition the City has entered the design phase of construction to replace the marble façade on the building. More than a year ago, fencing was place around the building to create a fall zone.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, construction was halted, and resumed with cranes used to stage construction material on the roof in May of this year. All possible demolition without further need for scaffolding has been completed, and now, we must extend the barrier to complete exterior demolition and finish the project.”
Below is a general timeline for the phased construction process that is underway. This project was funded by reallocated funds and CIP FY 20. The map below shows the areas highlighted in blue for alternative protest sites near City Hall.
- Beginning with the renovation of the committee room in 2019. Goal was to have Council meetings there while the Council roof and chambers were under renovation. The project ended, Fall 2019.
- Council Chambers closed Jan. 2020 to begin demo of the ceiling, etc.
- Demo continued until March, 2020. Construction was halted due to COVID and the Safer at Home orders.
- Demo and interior resumed with Cranes used to stage construction material on the roof- May 2020.
- All possible demo has been completed and scaffolding and exterior demo is necessary
