Warrant for policing reform activist David Hayes originated from a peaceful protest

[TexasTowelie]

Knoxville policing reform activist David Hayes was arrested Friday on a single misdemeanor charge of obstructing a highway or other passageway, stemming from peaceful protests in April, according to a copy of the warrant for his arrest.

The protest that spurred Knoxville Police Department to cite Hayes was one of dozens that followed in the weeks after a Knoxville police officer shot and killed 17-year-old Anthony Thompson Jr. inside an Austin-East Magnet High School bathroom.

Hayes made public appearances for months after the protest, most notably as a candidate for the Knoxville City Council, but law enforcement made no effort to arrest him on the warrant.

But Friday, when Hayes appeared at a meeting designed to gather the public's input on what leaders should look for in a new KPD police chief, Knox County Sheriff's Office deputies accosted Hayes outside the meeting room and arrested him.

Read more: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2022/01/10/warrant-david-hayes-stemmed-peaceful-protest-knoxville/9155860002/

[Hokie]

1. I used to admire law enforcement. Now I think ...

... that the bad apples outweigh the good. I will never give a dime to any LE organization again until there are major reforms.

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

3. It's not the bad apples, it's the barrel!

The system is what needs overhauling. The cops are performing exactly how they are trained to perform. They are not taught to think for themselves or use common sense on the job. The are just "following orders."

[Hokie]

4. 8 Can't Wait has some great ideas for police reform

https://8cantwait.org/

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

5. Nice, thanks!

[paleotn]

2. The fascist state of Tennessee.....

I wonder if I can get my official birth certificate changed to place of birth...unknown. They disgust me.

[Hokie]

6. At one time I thought I would like to retire to NE Tennessee

I went to school in Blacksburg at Va. Tech (as you might guess from the handle) and grew up in southern WV. I always loved the mountains and considered buying property in SW VA or Tenn. However, the more I read about the political and religious kooks who predominate in those areas the less that sounded attractive. We ended up staying for a few years in Kentucky then eventually moving to Colorado.