UPDATE: Dozens of NE Tennessee officers converge on Johnson City protest

A band of more than 100 people who began marching down several major streets in Johnson City Monday evening was greeted by dozens of police officers including troopers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol just before midnight.

Law enforcement personnel from Greene and Washington County, Tennessee were called in to assist city officers in directing marchers onto the sidewalks near downtown following several hours of blocking portions of State of Franklin Road and other streets.

The group mirrored thousands of rallies across the US Monday evening as mourners marked one week since the death of Texas native and Minneapolis resident George Floyd who died after a former officer placed his knee upon the back of Floyd’s neck for several minutes.

An independent autopsy released Monday that was ordered by Floyd’s family said the 59-year-old was already dead before officers dragged his body over to a stretcher. The report also said that Floyd’s death should be ruled a homicide.

Some protesters were detained by officers as the march remained primarily peaceful once they took to the roadways just after 6 p.m. at Founders Park that originated as a prayer rally. Several of these rallies have taken place over the past few days and have included members of city government, according to information from event data published online.

There have been reports of at least 10 arrests.

(PHOTO: JC)