Nashville Police Monitoring Multiple Planned Protests At State Capitol

Local police in Nashville are reportedly monitoring multiple planned protests at the Tennessee State Capitol building leading up to President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration.

WSMV reports the FBI has warned law enforcement agencies nationwide about possible armed protests at all 50 state capitol buildings, which includes at least three protests scheduled for the Tennessee State Capitol in downtown Nashville, although there have been "no threats of any violence" as of Tuesday (January 12.)

Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake shared reports of the three protests with the Metro Council in a letter addressed on Monday (January 11) and obtained by WSMV on Tuesday.

"I am writing to make you aware of the potential for protests originating at the State Capitol tomorrow (Tuesday), Sunday, and on Wednesday, January 20," Chief Drake wrote. "While there is no indication of an imminent threat of violence or danger, we, nevertheless, will be closely monitoring these events from a heightened security posture."

Chief Drake said Tuesday's protest was scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. and was planned by a group based in Knoxville "that advocates for social justice."

The potential protest set for Sunday is expected to begin at 11:00 a.m. and is believed to be connected to a call for rallies at every state capitol in the U.S. The potential protest on January 20 is believed to be a pro-Trump rally, according to Chief Drake.

Last week, riots at the United States Capitol building by President Donald Trump's supporters forced legislators to evacuate the House and Senate chambers, leading to the arrest of a Nashville man over the weekend.

Eric Munchel, 30, reportedly surrendered to the Metro Nashville Police Department on Sunday (January 10) and was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, FOX 17 News reports.

Protesters supporting President Trump stormed the United States Capitol amid the vote to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election on Wednesday (January 6), forcing elected officials to evacuate the House and Senate chambers before later continuing session in the evening.

An announcement was made inside the Capitol ordering lawmakers to evacuate due to "an external security threat" as dozens of protesters forced their way inside the building, the Associated Press reports.

Both chambers were sent into recess and later resumed at around 8:00 p.m. EST to confirm the nomination of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

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