A group of about 500 protesters, demanding more dollars for home-based health care services and an audience with Gov. Phil Bredesen, blockaded several intersections around the state Capitol Monday, disrupting downtown traffic for at least seven hours as about 80 of them were arrested.
“Just like a nursing home * you can’t get out,” protesters from the national advocacy group ADAPT chanted outside of Legislative Plaza at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Deaderick Street. The plaza houses many state lawmakers and their staffers.
The protesters, many of whom were disabled and coming from across the country to attend the demonstration, were advocating that Tennessee give its citizens more choices, and dollars, on whether to be in a nursing home or receive medical care actually in their homes.
“What do we want? Freedom! When do we want it? Now!” they chanted.
Bredesen dismisses protesters’ requests
To spread that message, the protesters requested a meeting with Bredesen, but Bredesen’s office dismissed those requests, adding that the protest’s organizers had endangered the disabled demonstrators by exposing them to Monday’s frigid temperatures.
“This is a national professional protest group and (Monday’s) action is an extreme publicity stunt that has created a serious disruption to downtown businesses and state employees,” said Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker.
But while that “serious disruption” took place, Metro Police, joined by a few troopers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, allowed the protesters to block the streets from about 12:30 p.m. until about 5:40 p.m.
Metro’s decision left some state lawmakers, many of whom arrived in Nashville Monday, upset because the access to their parking garage in Legislative Plaza was blocked.
“(Metro’s) scared of (the protesters),” said Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville). “They’re all gutless.”
Then, Metro Police decided enough was enough.
Arrests begin at 5:40 p.m.
At 5:40 p.m., a Metro Police officer announced to the intersection of Eighth Charlotte avenues that anyone obstructing the roadways would be arrested, and they were.
Some protestors then cleared the road, while others lingered in the middle of the street, blocking eager state employees’ cars from going home, all the while being cheered on by on-looking demonstrators.
“Our home * not a nursing home,” they chanted.
The Eighth and Charlotte avenues blockade caused dozens, if not more than 100, cars of state employees to be delayed from leaving work.
Some state employees wondered why they were being targeted by the protesters since they lack a direct public policy choice on home-based care.
“I think they are trying to get the message to the wrong people,” said state employee John Douglas, who sat waiting in his car, which was blocked by others hoping to exit onto Charlotte. “I just want to go home.”
A few of the bolder demonstrators actually laid down in front of state employees’ cars to plead for their cause.
Those, and a few others who blatantly ignored Metro Police, were arrested at the intersection of Eighth and Charlotte. Metro then proceeded to the other intersections to see if other protesters were blocking the roadways.
At about 8 p.m., state employees in Legislative Plaza were told they could go home.
The demonstrators, many of whom said they wanted to be arrested, got their wish. At 8:30 p.m., Metro Police officers on the scene said about 80 to 90 protesters have been issued citations for blocking roadways. About seven to 10 of those were actually taken into custody, with one being charged with assault.
A small group of about 40 demonstrators remained, huddled under what shelter was available while a cold drizzle smattered their ponchos.