No he didn’t.
Newly released police dashcam footage shattered viral claims that Tennessee Highway Patrol cops ran over a man at a massive anti-ICE protest in Memphis on Sunday.
The department came under fire after local news outlets and online haters posted a partial clip of the confrontation between cops and protestors, which appears to show a man identified as a “marshal” helping direct traffic slip under a highway patrol cruiser.
But the complete dashcam footage shows the unidentified man seemingly clowning around — he stands in front of the police SUV, directs them to stop and then bend down in front of the vehicle before he pops up again, totally unharmed and is seen walking away.
“In Memphis, there are social media posts alleging that an individual was hit by a Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper,” the department posted on Facebook. “This is false. Have a look for yourself.
“We respect and protect the right of people to protest peacefully. That right, however, does not include entering active roadways or placing themselves in danger,” the post said. “In this case, 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.
“At no point does the video show the individual being run over or injured, despite the narratives circulating on social media,” police added. “Our priority is always public safety…for motorists, protesters and certainly our troopers.”
The video refuses claims by outlets like WMC-TV, which reported Sunday that, “phone video from the scene also shows a patrol vehicle striking a protest marshal who was standing on the street in front of the vehicle.”
The controversy came as a new rash of anti-ICE protests erupted nationwide following the shooting of Renee Nicol Good by a federal agent in Minneapolis.
Federal officials contend ICE officer Jonathan Ross acted in self-defense after Good appeared to bump him with her car, while critics maintain the mom of three was wrongfully shot and killed.
Police said one woman was arrested at the Memphis demonstration.
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