It turns out that wasn’t the case.
Recently released dashcam footage refutes claims circulating online that a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer ran over an individual during a significant anti-ICE protest in Memphis on Sunday.
Local news sources and social media users criticized the department after a partial video surfaced, showing a confrontation between law enforcement and protesters. The footage seems to depict a man, referred to as a “sheriff,” helping manage traffic near a highway patrol vehicle.
In the dashcam video, the unidentified man appears to be joking around. He can be seen standing in front of a police SUV, instructing it to halt, crouching in front of it, then quickly getting up and walking away unscathed.
There were social media posts claiming that a trooper had struck someone, the department clarified on Facebook. “This is false. Please check for yourself,” it stated.
“We uphold the right to peaceful protests, but that doesn’t mean people can put themselves in dangerous situations on roadways,” the message continued. “The video shows a person holding onto the front of the officer’s vehicle, lying down, and then quickly getting up and leaving.”
Despite various narratives online, police reiterated that the footage shows no one being run over or injured. Public safety remains a priority, not only for motorists and protesters but also for law enforcement.
Earlier reports from outlets like WMC-TV suggested that “cellphone video from the scene showed the police vehicle hitting a protestor.”
This incident has drawn attention amidst a wave of anti-ICE demonstrations across the nation, partially sparked by the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a federal officer in Minneapolis.
Federal officials claim that ICE agent Jonathan Ross acted in self-defense after allegedly hitting Good with his vehicle, though critics argue that the mother of three was unjustly shot.
Meanwhile, police confirmed the arrest of a woman during the protest in Memphis.
