Dashcam Video from Tennessee Highway Patrol Addresses Protest Claims

A dashcam video has surfaced showing a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer interacting with a protester who seemed to be pretending to be hit by a police car during a protest in Memphis. This has led the police to clarify false claims circulating online suggesting that the man was actually struck.

The footage shared on social media reveals officers attempting to navigate around a group of demonstrators. In the video, a man, who is thought to be one of the protesters, suddenly leaps into view from behind an SUV.

Wearing a bright orange construction vest and carrying a portable radio, the man approached an officer with his hands raised. The officer could be seen shouting, “Move! You’re in the way! You’re in the way! Move!”

Interestingly, the protesters then shook their heads and pointed their fingers in a “wait” gesture. The same individual then reached for the patrol car’s push rod and fell backwards, seemingly trying to create the illusion that he had been hit by the vehicle.

He then stood up, gave the officer a gesture, and returned to his car. The video, which has been shared widely, was mistakenly thought to depict the man being run over by a trooper, but authorities have stated this is incorrect.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to respecting the rights of individuals to protest peacefully; however, they added this does not grant permission to trespass or endanger others on busy roads. They pointed out the video clearly shows the individual clinging to the front of the officer’s vehicle before getting up and leaving independently.

In their statement, they reiterated the importance of public safety for all—protesters, drivers, and officers alike. The agency underscored that entering a roadway poses serious risks and that officers are trained to respond accordingly to prevent injurious situations.