City officials and law enforcement released their plans to keep everyone safe during two planned, controversial White Lives Matter rallies in Murfreesboro and Shelbyville.
MURFREESBORO:
Murfreesboro officials said in a public letter the Public Square would be closed to car and pedestrian traffic as early as 3 a.m. Saturday to prepare for any crowds.
Murfreesboro Releases Rules For Safety At Rally
The White Lives Matter rally was scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Counter-demonstrators are allowed to enter the Public Square through South Church Street and South Maple Street only.
Officers said they will also search everyone for weapons and masks, which will not be allowed in the square.
Drivers must remove their cars from the Public Square and from all streets within a one-block radius of Public Square by 3 a.m. Saturday, or the cars will be towed. The street closures within this one-block radius include:
- College Street between North Walnut and North Spring Street
- East and West Main Street between Walnut Street and Spring Street
- Vine Street between South Walnut Street and South Spring Street
- Walnut Street between West College Street and West Vine Street
- Maple Street between West College Street and West Vine Street
- Church Street between East College Street and East Vine Street
- Spring Street between East College Street and East Vine Street
- West Tommy Martin Drive between Vine Street and N.W. Broad Street
SHELBYVILLE:
The White Lives Matter rally will be held on the sidewalk near Lane Parkway and North Cannon Boulevard from 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
Shelbyville and Bedford County officials released public safety rules and a list of items prohibited from the rally.
Road Closures, Plans In Place For Shelbyville Rally
Everyone in the area will be searched, and similar to Murfreesboro, masks and weapons will not be allowed.
There will be checkpoints to enter the area one at the intersection of Regent Drive and North Cannon the other at West Holland Street and Cannon.
Counter-protesters were encouraged to use the parking being made available at Thomas Magnet School (518 Tate Ave. Shelbyville, TN) and the former Harris Middle School (400 Elm Street Shelbyville) for both public safety and accessibility to the required checkpoint.
