Politics & Government
National Guard Lays Down Shields At Peaceful Nashville Vigil
The event was held at the Tennessee State Capitol, where the crowd prayed and sang songs.
By Holly McCall, Tennessee Lookout
June 2, 2020
A Nashville vigil for George Floyd, the Minneapolis man killed by police last week, drew more than 200 people and culminated with members of the Tennessee National Guard laying down their riot shields in a gesture of solidarity with the crowd.
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The group met at the Tennessee State Capitol, where they prayed and sang songs before activist Justin Jones, one of the event organizers, asked Guardsmen to put their shields down.
Most members of the House of Representatives Democratic Caucus attended, including Rep. Antonio Parkinson (Memphis), Rep. Gloria Johnson (Knoxville), Rep. London Lamar (Memphis), Rep. Vincent Dixie (Nashville), Rep. John Ray Clemmons (Nashville) and Rep. Bob Freeman (Nashville).
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Alex Kent, freelance photojournalist for the Tennessee Lookout, was on hand and captured images from the night.
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