Protesters interrupt Marsha Blackburn get out the vote rally; One person arrested

Posted: 8:06 PM, Oct 28, 2018
Updated: 2019-07-31 11:39:47-04

Two people were cited during a protest at a Marsha Blackburn get out the vote rally Sunday in Davidson County.

Protesters began chanting in the crowd while Blackburn was being introduced at the rally. Parts of the protest were captured on cell phone video and posted to Facebook. Justin Jones shot the first video and can be seen being handcuffed in the second video.

Jones, 23, was asked to leave the event by organizers and refused. He then allegedly resisted arrest while a police officer tried to remove him from the building. 

Jones was going to be charged with trespassing, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct but according to police a judicial commissioner refused to sign the warrants. Jones instead, only received a citation for criminal trespassing. 

Also cited was 22-year-old Jenisha Harris of Memphis. He was issued a misdemeanor citation for assault. A woman from Washington DC alleged Harris caused a disturbance and shoved her while she was standing near a table of food. The incident did not occur in the presence of an officer. 

Blackburn issued a statement following the rally, which said in part:

“This Sunday afternoon, the liberal angry mob made it clear they are active in Tennessee and will stop at nothing to disrupt civil political discourse. I'm grateful to the law enforcement officers who were here today and kept everyone safe. The protestors at today's event were absolutely appalling. They yelled 'Impeach Trump.' They kicked. They punched. They resisted law enforcement, and they interrupted a moment of silence for the victims in Pittsburgh.

Bredesen's press secretary, Alyssa Hansen, also responded on Twitter, saying in part:

"This is happening from both sides--it (sic) a shame that people disrupted Congresswoman Blackburn's event and it is a shame that Congresswoman Blackburn's campaign staffers have been proudly screaming at 37 of Governor Bredesen's events."

Nashville Metro At-Large Council Member Erica Gilmore also issued a statement focusing on the arrest of Jones.