Band Director Tased and Arrested Following High School Football Game
A band director was tased and arrested after he failed to comply with police requests to end his band’s performance following a high school football game, according to the Birmingham Police Department. The incident occurred on Thursday after Minor High School won a game against PD Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham. After the game, police officers began clearing out the stadium and noticed that both schools’ bands were still performing.
Officers approached both band directors and asked them to stop playing music so that students and attendees would leave the stadium. The home team band complied with the request, but Minor’s band director, Johnny Mims, continued the performance against police orders. When the officers attempted to take Mims into custody for disorderly conduct, a physical altercation broke out between him, Birmingham City Schools System personnel, and the police officers.
Bodycam footage released by the Birmingham Police Department shows multiple officers instructing Mims to end the performance while he repeatedly tells them to “get out of my face.” Mims insists that his band will finish its last song before leaving. As Mims steps off the platform, a struggle ensues between him and the officers, with Mims yelling for them to get off him. One officer claims that Mims hit him and declares that he must go to jail, while Mims denies the accusation.
In the midst of the ongoing struggle, an officer uses a Taser on Mims, causing him to fall to the ground as panicked screams erupt from the surrounding crowd. The police statement claims that Mims pushed the arresting officer, leading to the use of the Taser to subdue him. Additional videos of the incident show onlookers witnessing the altercation and some pushing and shoving occurring between Mims and the officers.
Mims’ attorney, Juandalynn Givan, who is also a state representative, called the incident an “alarming abuse of power” and a violation of Mims’ civil rights. Givan intends to pursue legal action against the police department. After being treated at the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue, Mims was transported to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. Following his release, he was taken to the Birmingham City Jail, where he was booked and later bonded out.
Arrest warrants were obtained for Mims on charges of disorderly conduct, harassment, and resisting arrest. The Birmingham Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division will be investigating the incident, as is standard procedure for cases involving the use of force during an arrest. Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin stated that he is gathering all the facts before making any further comments on the matter.
Johnny Mims joined the Minor High School band in 2018 after teaching high school band in Florida. He holds a master’s degree in music education from Florida State University. Mims’ arrest in front of students and parents at a football game has been met with shock and disbelief, with many questioning the use of a Taser in this situation. The Jefferson County School District has been contacted for comment on the incident.
In conclusion, the arrest of the band director after he refused to end his band’s performance has sparked controversy and calls for accountability. The incident is currently under investigation, and the band director’s attorney plans to take legal action against the police department. As the case unfolds, questions arise about the appropriate use of force and the potential violation of civil rights in this situation.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-09-19 06:23:00
Comments are closed.