By Dewayne Bingham, Assistant Photo Editor–
Several Chattanooga protesters, including City Council candidate Marie Mott and local musician and activist Cameron “C-Grimey” Williams, attended a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 7 for charges related to the theft and burning of a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office flag on July 9 and blocking an emergency vehicle during a protest on July 10.
Trials for the protesters were moved to Oct. 8 after General Sessions Court Judge Gary Starnes refused the request of Mott’s attorney, McCracken Poston to dismiss the charges.
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Daniel Blake Cash awaits trial for charges which include disorderly conduct and blocking a highway during a Chattanooga protest on July 10. Trials for protesters accused of stealing and burning a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office flag on July 9 and of blocking an en-route emergency vehicle while protesting in a city crosswalk on July 10 were postponed until October 8 after Judge Gary Starnes refused to drop the charges. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Marie Mott and Cameron “C-Grimey” Williams await trial with other Chattanooga protesters charged with disorderly conduct, blocking a highway, reckless burning, inciting to riot, and others. Trials for protesters accused of stealing and burning a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office flag on July 9 and of blocking an en-route emergency vehicle while protesting in a city crosswalk on July 10 were postponed until October 8 after Judge Gary Starnes refused to drop the charges. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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The charged protestors and their legal councils regroup following their hearing. The hearing for the charges against the seven protestors, which include blocking an intersection to first responders, burning a Hamilton County Sherriff’s Office flag and disorderly conduct, was postponed until October 8. Tuesday, September 1, 2020. (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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McCracken Poston, Marie Mott’s defense attorney, speaks with a news channel following the initial hearing against seven protestors from a July 9 protest. The hearing for the charges against the seven protestors, which include blocking an intersection to first responders, burning a Hamilton County Sherriff’s Office flag and disorderly conduct, was postponed until October 8. Tuesday, September 1, 2020. (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Officers from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department stand watch after Chattanooga protesters exited a hearing for charges which included disorderly conduct, blocking a highway, reckless burning, inciting to riot, and others. Trials for protesters accused of stealing and burning a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office flag on July 9 and of blocking an en-route emergency vehicle while protesting in a city crosswalk on July 10 were postponed until October 8 after Judge Gary Starnes refused to drop the charges. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Marie Mott and Daniel Blake Cash, two of seven protestors charged, speak with Mott’s defense attorney McCracken Poston as they await their hearing for their charges from a July 9 protest. The hearing for the charges against the seven protestors, which include blocking an intersection to first responders, burning a Hamilton County Sherriff’s Office flag and disorderly conduct, was postponed until October 8. Tuesday, September 1, 2020. (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
However, Judge Starnes has since recused himself from the cases, after a personal Facebook post with images of his 9-year-old grandson carrying a replica shotgun and leading a small march through their neighborhood in support of police, which Starnes called “very patriotic,” raised questions surrounding his impartiality.
In a recent press release, Starnes came to his own public defense.
“In order to avoid any appearance of impropriety, to avoid any negative effect on the judiciary, and in the interest of my grandson’s privacy and safety, I have decided to recuse myself from all of these cases effective immediately,” he said.
Protesters marched from Miller Park to the Hamilton County Jail and Courts Building the day after their hearing, conscious to remain on city sidewalks to avoid altercations with police.
Mott, Williams, and other Chattanooga activists made it clear at Wednesday’s protest that their charges will not deter them from assembling and protesting peacefully.
Stay strong and prosecute these violators! We will not tolerate abuse of the 1st Amendment, violence, obstruction, destruction nor disrespect to our law enforcement!
^ if only our community practiced the same intolerance toward racism and abuse of power!
They do, apparently you are missinformed