TN senator says group blocks driveways, neighborhoods during protests
by: Vivian Nguyen
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Tennessee senator says a Memphis group is blocking driveways and neighborhoods during protests.
A group, Indivisible Memphis, has been hosting “Banner Brigades,” they say, to peacefully protest President Donald Trump’s deportations of illegal immigrants.
The group said in a statement that weeks ago, Senator Brent Taylor put a post on Facebook that had violent, conspiratorial language targeting progressive activists.
They said Senator Taylor falsely accused groups like Indivisible Memphis of encouraging political violence and invoked harmful stereotypes, leading them to file a formal ethics complaint with the Tennessee legislature.
“Those complaints have resulted in an upcoming ethics hearing,” said Indivisible Group on Facebook.
On Monday, Senator Taylor responded on Facebook, saying he received calls from people who live near where protests are being held.
He said those people are being blocked from their driveways and neighborhoods while the “hippies” wave their flags.
“Unfortunately for Indivisible Memphis, their “protests” may not be legally permitted. These types of demonstrations require a city-issued permit,” said Senator Taylor. “My office is checking to see if Indivisible Memphis has ever gotten a permit for their previous demonstrations. Regardless, they’re not allowed to hang banners from state property, and they’re certainly not allowed to block roadways.”
In response to Senator Taylor, Indivisible Memphis said the following:
“Banner Brigade is a lawful protest. Our participants stand on public sidewalks, do not block traffic or driveways, and peacefully exercise our First Amendment rights. No permit is required for sidewalk protests under current city regulations.
We have never incited violence, and we categorically reject efforts to portray us as anything other than peaceful community advocates.
Senator Taylor’s latest actions reflect a deeply troubling pattern: using his office to retaliate against constituents who challenge him, spread fear about political opponents, and attempt to chill protected speech. That is not just unethical, it’s dangerous.”
The group also stated that in Memphis, protesting is not a threat, but a tradition, and they will not be silenced.
On Friday, Senator Taylor made a Facebook post saying he could not care less about the “weathered purple-haired Banner Brigade protestors.”
He included pictures of people holding signs, one of which said, “Our lungs, our lives not for sale, especially not to Brent Taylor.”
“At the request of my more sane constituents, I am asking Highway Patrol to enforce state law against hanging banners from interstate bridges and to keep driveways and roadways from being blocked,” said Senator Taylor.
The group hosts a protest every Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Shady Grove Road and I-240 overpass.
In a social media post, the group advises protesters not to display banners or signs on the overpass, block traffic, driveways, or pedestrian flow; cross into the roadway; post photos or videos identifying protesters; or provide false identification to law enforcement.
They also advised protestors to stand only on the public sidewalk, hold banners or signs by hand only, stay off overpass railings or structure, remain peaceful and respectful, to stay 25 feet away from officers if approached, leave at least three feet of space between their vehicle or driveway and be parked no more than 12 inches from the curb.
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