‘Back the Badge’ demonstrators rally at State Capitol – NewsChannel5.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Demonstrators gathered at Legislative Plaza for a “Back the Badge’ rally.

The wore American flag clothing, held signs that read “Blue Lives Matter,” and chanted things like “law and order.”

“We are here to show solidarity with all the public servants who sacrifice so much on a daily basis to make that we can live in a peaceful and amazing USA,” said organizer Chase Matheson.

It was located across from the “People’s Plaza” protesters, who have been stationed at the bottom of the capitol steps across Charlotte Avenue.

Matheson said the rally had was not in response to the “People’s Plaza” or Black Lives Matter demonstrations, but rather in response to ongoing tensions between Atlanta residents and police officers as well as his own personal experiences with a father formerly in law enforcement.

Matheson began the rally by saying, “there’s something that we and those people over there both agree on, and that’s recalling Mayor Cooper.”

A table was set up for people in attendance to sign a petition to recall Nashville Mayor John Cooper and other council members who voted to pass the city’s budget, which included a 34% property tax hike. The group “No tax for Nash” sponsored the petition.