A Birmingham-area high-school band director said the police went too far when they shocked him with a Taser and arrested him after he refused to comply with their orders to stop his band’s performance at the end of a football game.
The Birmingham Police Department released body-camera footage of the incident on Tuesday, Sept. 19, showing officers subduing Minor High School band director Johnny Sims.
After a football game between Minor High School and home team P.D. Jackson-Olin High School ended last week, police at the scene asked the band directors from both schools to end their performances so they could shut down stadium operations.
The home team’s band followed the directive, but Mims continued to allow his band to play.
About 20 minutes after the game ended, they personally approached Mims to make the request again. Mims is heard saying on the video, “Get out of my face,” but also tells the officers that the song the band is playing will be the last before they pack up.
Moments later, the stadium lights are shut off, the band stops playing, and students begin screaming. It’s too dark to see, but an altercation begins between Mims and a few officers as the officers attempt to handcuff Mims. Bodycam footage shows Mims saying, “Get off of me” to the officers restraining him. One officer yells that Mims hit another officer, which Mims denied. Then, another officer tases Mims.
WATCH THE FULL BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE HERE.
Mims was arrested, taken to a nearby hospital, and then booked into jail on disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest charges.
During a news conference, Mims stated that the incident should have never escalated, especially in front of his students. He explained that the police interrupted a classic “fifth quarter” situation when marching bands, usually from predominantly Black high schools and colleges, continue to play music after games end in a battle-style performance.
“The…
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