New emails show Tennessee law enforcement focused on counter-protesters at a neo-Nazi event

[workinclasszero]

New emails show Tennessee law enforcement focused on counter-protesters at a neo-Nazi event
A Tennessee Homeland Security official said the white nationalist Traditionalist Workers' Party was "typically not the issue."
LUKE BARNES APR 30, 2018, 12:23 PM

A series of emails sent between Tennessee Bureau of Investigation officials over the past few months reveals law-enforcement was focused on counter-protesters at several recent events organized by the neo-Nazi Traditionalist Worker’s Party (TWP), rather than the neo-Nazis themselves.

In one particular email, dated March 13, Tennessee Office of Homeland Security Intelligence Analyst Misty Phillips addresses concerns about neo-Nazi protesters attending the panel, writing that “TWP is typically not the issue, but rather opposing groups.”

The cops’ focus on counterprotestors appears to have emboldened the neo-Nazi group. Matthew Heimbach, former leader of the TWP, posted on a group chat days before the event that he had “talked to the cops” ahead of the rally and been reassured that they would “avoid any security issues.”

“So basically I think if the Reds act up, they are gonna get billy clubbed…so, can’t complain,” he added.

TWP has a history of violent behavior and advocates for a whites-only ethnostate. During a TWP rally at Sacramento in 2016, seven people were stabbed and nine others hospitalized during clashes with counter-protesters. TWP also took part in the Charlottesville rally last year and bragged about the death of 32-year-old counter-protester Heather Heyer in internet chatrooms.


https://thinkprogress.org/tennessee-law-enforcement-focused-on-counter-protesters-neo-nazi-event-97f56fa537b7/

[94Mountaineer]

1. Which would be what they should have focused on

You're providing security for an event, you generally operate from the premise that the threat to the event isn't coming from the event itself.

[workinclasszero]

2. So law enforcement paid for with tax dollars

Goes to protect nazi stormtroopers?

To hell with that shit!

[94Mountaineer]

3. Their job was to provide security for the event. Which, under the first amendment, protects

Nazis as much as it does anyone else.

You wouldn't plan for the Nazis to attack counter protestors to the extent you would protect the event from outside threats.

Its unpopular but, had these e-mails and discussions not taken place, the Nazis could sue because the state didn't protect their right to assemble and speak.

[workinclasszero]

4. If your job is to protect people who want to roast

Jews, gays, PoC and all liberals in ovens, it’s time to get a different damn job imo.

My dad and uncles fought and killed these bastards in WW2. Now we protect them as they bring hell on earth to the USA.

[94Mountaineer]

5. Their job, in this case, is to protect the civil rights of the people.

That includes protecting them from outside threats of violence or attempts to shut down their event.

There are usually more news crews there than actual participants in these things, which is why I wish more people would ignore their attempts to seek attention instead of turning it into a national story about 14 idiots who want to spew hatred from the steps of the courthouse.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

6. Kick