Nashville Autonomous Zone
Nashville Autonomous Zone Ida B. Wells Plaza | |
|---|---|
| Status | Unrecognized self-declared autonomous zone |
| Government | Commune and partially-autonomous intentional community |
• Leader | None (managed through consensus decision-making) |
| Establishment | |
• Declared | June 12, 2020 |
The Nashville Autonomous Zone (NAZ), sometimes referred to as the Ida B. Wells Plaza, is a self-declared autonomous zone on the Capitol grounds of Nashville, Tennessee. Modeled on the preceding Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, the Nashville Zone was established on June 12, 2020, during the George Floyd protests. As of Monday the 15th, protesters were still in control of the Plaza in defiance of police orders.[1][2][3]
Local governance in the Zone is decentralized, with the goal of creating a zone without police. Free food and water is available for activists.[4]
Background[edit]
Nashville had already seen extensive protest in the wake of the death of George Floyd.[5] On June 12th local activists called for protesters to occupy the Capitol grounds, starting at 5:00 p.m. local time.[6] Fliers circulated by organizers demanded "Fire Chief Anderson. Defund the Police. Demilitarize the Police. Remove Racist Statues."[7] In the wake of Occupy Wall Street the Tennessee State Legislature passed law making the occupation of State land after 10:00 p.m. a Class A misdemeanor.[6]
Five days earlier, protesters in Seattle had declared the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, which inspired the Nashville effort with some calling the NAZ the "CHAZ of the South".[7]
Territory[edit]
The protesters occupied Legislative Plaza, just south of the Tennessee State Capitol. There was previously a Statue of Edward Carmack, which had been toppled by other protesters in May.[5] Protesters renamed the plaza "Ida B. Wells Plaza". It has been transformed into an arts space.[8]
Demands[edit]
Alternatively, protesters have said that they will remain until Governor Lee agrees to defund the police, or to come in person and discuss police brutality with them.[7][8][9] Purported demands associated with the Zone include the abolition or defunding of police, the firing of the Nashville Chief of Police, and the removal of monuments believed to be racist.
Reactions[edit]
Local[edit]
The Nashville PD has said that they are monitoring the situation in coordination with other law enforcement agencies.[7]
Mike Stewart, Tennessee State House Democratic Caucus chair, stopped by and said; "Seems like an unbelievably peaceful gathering."[8]
Governor Bill Lee warned against the creation of the Zone, saying that he would enforce the laws of the State.[10]
See also[edit]
- Exarcheia, the "anarchist quarter" of Athens
- Freetown Christiania, autonomous district in Copenhagen
- Free Derry, a police-free area in Derry during The Troubles
- No-go area
- Orania, Northern Cape, an autonomous Afrikaner town in South Africa
- Paris Commune, a revolutionary government that ruled Paris in 1871
- Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities, autonomous territories in Mexico
- Zone to Defend, autonomous zones in France
References[edit]
- ↑ Olmos, Stassy (June 13, 2020). "Thousands join March for Justice through downtown Saturday". WKRN-TV. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
- ↑ https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2020/jun/15/tennessee-bill-would-increase-penalties-illegal-camping-graffiti/525398/
- ↑ https://www.9and10news.com/i/the-latest-france-backs-off-ban-on-chokeholds-2/
- ↑ Bogard, Catlin (June 12, 2020). "Demonstrators set up camp on Capitol Hill against the advice of the governor". WTVF.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hineman, Brinley; Allison, Natalie (June 12, 2020). "Protesters plan to camp out in front of Capitol, claiming area as autonomous zone". The Tennessean. Gannett. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Jorge, Kaylin (June 13, 2020). "Ahead of Capitol rally, Gov. Lee warns 'autonomous zones' will not be tolerated". WZTV. Sinclair Broadcast Group. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Dwilson, Stephanie Dube (June 12, 2020). "Nashville Autonomous Zone: Protesters Want to Create a Second CHAZ". Heavy.com.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Ramirez, Alejandro (June 13, 2020). "Activists Camp Outside the Capitol Building to Protest Police Brutality". Nashville Scene.
- ↑ Cotton, CB; Gill, Joey; Olmos, Stassy (June 12, 2020). "'Free Capitol Hill' demonstrators take over Capitol Hill on Friday". WKRN.
- ↑ McEvoy, Jemima (June 12, 2020). "Tennessee Governor Warns Protesters Against Creating Nashville Autonomous Zone". Forbes.
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- 2020 establishments in Tennessee
- 2020 in Nashville
- Black Lives Matter
- Cooperatives in the United States
- Counterculture communities
- George Floyd protests in the United States
- Intentional communities
- June 2020 events in the United States
- Populated places established in 2020
- Protests in Nashville
- Riots and civil disorder in Tennessee
- Secessionist towns and cities
- Separatism in the United States
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