A Black Alabama highschool band director was tased repeatedly and arrested after he refused to instantly cease the group from taking part in throughout a track. The incident occurred throughout “the fifth quarter,” a time when bands play within the stands after a soccer sport.
Johnny Mims, who works for Minor Excessive Faculty, held a press convention on Sept. 19 to deal with the state of affairs.“I ought to have by no means been tased. It was extreme,” Mims stated within the press convention, based on CNN. “No educator ought to ever must expertise that.”
The director additionally stated he was most involved in regards to the college students having to witness the arrest, as they had been the “most vital factor” within the altercation.
“It’s heartbreaking,” he stated. “It’s traumatizing. It’s tough. There’s no method to clarify how I’m doing as a result of I do know my college students are hurting.”
Mims was taken to the College of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital earlier than being booked into the Birmingham Metropolis Jail, the place he later bonded out. He was charged with disorderly conduct, harassment, and resisting arrest.
The physique digital camera footage reveals one band member screaming and reaching out to assist Mims whereas yelling, “Depart him alone! Cease!” One other officer, whereas detaining Mims, stated, “He hit the officer. He’s bought to go to jail.”
As Mims was being detained, he responded to the officer’s declare.
“I didn’t swing on the officer!” Mims stated.
CNN reported that the officers tried to chop off the bands from taking part in after the sport to clear the stadium. Mims stated each band administrators agreed to play three songs after the sport.
Alabama highschool band director Johnny Mims was tased repeatedly and arrested by Birmingham police after he refused to instantly cease the band because it performed within the bleachers following a soccer sport.
The band was participating in what they name “The Fifth Quarter,” a phase… pic.twitter.com/crXFwicleK
— Each day Loud (@DailyLoud) September 21, 2023
