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Interview with JCPD Captain Brian Rice, discussing the outcome of Tuesday evening's protest in Johnson City, TN. When asked about his thoughts overall concerning the protest, Rice stated "As long as it is a peaceful protest and the laws are not being violated, no property damage is occurring, we're not going to bother you. My take is on the protest, it's not only a constitutional right, I think it's your duty as an American to protest things when you don't agree with it." 

When asked to respond to Chattanooga* Police Chief David Roddy's tweet regarding Floyd's death where he stated that "If you wear a badge and you don't have an issue with this...turn it in," Rice said that he had been "saying it all week", jokingly claiming that he thinks Floyd had "stole it from him." Also commenting on the officers who were present for the local protests Rice stated "on this circumstance we can all agree the reason that we should all be out here to begin with and that was the injustice and the affront to humanity to occurred in Minneapolis" and that he an "you're not going to find a police officer who has worked any of these events tonight or last night that's going to try and condone what those guys said [or] say 'hm, I kinda see why he did that' [or find any officer here say anything] other than 'that's wrong.'"

Concerning any online chatter of individuals infiltrating the peaceful protest, particularly the "Are you with us??????" Craigslist post claiming to "go to town fully loaded with AR's [to] get a few protesters" Rice did state that they were aware of the post and that they were looking into it. At the time of this interview Rice stated that they had yet to identify those responsible for setting off mortar shells and fireworks towards police vehicles that were parked on Main Street downtown, also saying "that's the kind of stuff that detracts from what everybody is out here for."

Rice also said that he plans to continue open lines of communication with the community, that he had "made some friends" talking with individuals in Founders Park earlier that day and hoped to make some more before the night was over.

***Correction: The Police Chief David Roddy whose tweet was mentioned in the interview is from Chattanooga, TN, not Nashville.

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Black Lives Matter Knoxville
Black Lives Matter Asheville
Black Lives Matter Nashville
Founders Park
Johnson City Press
Johnson City, TN - City Government

Interview - Captain Rice - 6/2/2020 Protest, 12:12am

Interview with Andre Johnson, a Black Lives Matter Organizer at Founders Park in Johnson City, TN discussing leadership and organizational planning with BLM Knoxville to coordinate and participate in this year’s Juneteenth celebration commemorating the end of slavery in America on June 19th, 1865.

It was stated that the event may take place at Chilhowee Park in East Knoxville, however I’ve reached out to leadership for Black Lives Matter Knoxville as well as Black Coffee Justice of Knoxville via FB looking for more information about this year's Juneteenth event location and time. I haven't received anything thus far, however will update once more details are available!

Also, Johnson City Mayor Jenny Brock and Police Chief Karl Turner marched with protesters in a peaceful demonstration of unity Tuesday evening.

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Black Lives Matter Knoxville
Black Coffee Justice
Black Lives Matter Nashville
Founders Park

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