Downtown Nashville businesses reportedly threatened after neo-Nazi protests

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — New developments and allegations of threats have come to light following a neo-Nazi demonstration that led to a fight in downtown Nashville last weekend.

The Metro Nashville Police Department reported 29-year-old Ryan Scott McCann, of Ontario, Canada, was part of a group of neo-Nazi protesters carrying swastika flags and spreading white supremacist rhetoric at Broadway and 3rd Avenue on Sunday, July 14, “to the displeasure of passersby.” A number of officers, aware of free speech issues, stayed close by and watched the group’s actions.

Officials said the group left Broadway and headed south on 3rd Avenue, but as they walked, a 19-year-old bar employee got involved in a fight with the protesters. As the parties separated, McCann was reportedly seen hitting the 19-year-old in the face and ribs with the flagpole .

Days after this incident, the owner of a major security company that serves many downtown bars and businesses told News 2 that his clients and his organization have been receiving threats following the violent protest.

News 2 obtained images from Sunday, which Jack Byrd of Solaren Risk Management said show a confrontation outside Johnny Cash’s Bar & BBQ on 3rd Avenue South, one of the many bars for which Byrd’s company supplies security.

“This group of protesters assaulted staff and were inciting violence to different people along the way as they were marching down 3rd Avenue,” Byrd said.

According to Byrd, his security agents were on the streets during the demonstration that turned physical.

“They took pictures mainly to try to identify the people that were involved in the incidents because it was incidents of them throwing things, it was incidents of them threatening people, and it wasn’t just verbal threats. It was physical threats of violence,” Byrd explained. “I mean, they would run up, they would get in people’s faces, they would act like they were going to strike them. I mean, it was a lot that had everyone on edge.”

Byrd showed News 2 a picture where a protester was holding a pole with a Nazi flag and apparently thrusting part of the pole toward others in the crowd.

“We were the buffer between business owners and this protest,” Byrd stated.

Byrd said business owners and others he represents have received threats since the demonstration.

“Several business owners are receiving threats, individuals are receiving threats, and it’s not just threats of violence, but it’s threats to destroy your business, to harm your family, your reputation. I mean, it’s an all out assault,” he described.

Byrd has filed a report of possible terrorism or homeland security issues with Tennessee officials.

“It’s emails, it’s text messages, it’s pamphlets, it’s also their presence whenever they show up and then threaten staff. Some people don’t want to go to work; a lot of our staff, we’ve had to upstaff security at most of our locations right now,” he explained, saying that “upstaff” means the company has increased its coverage and added staff members to shifts until this blows over.

News 2 also talked with District 19 Metro Councilperson Jacob Kupin. His district includes downtown, where many of the recent hate group demonstrations have taken place.

Kupin said he has not been personally threatened, but there have been many uncomfortable moments, especially when the neo-Nazi group attended a Metro Council meeting on Tuesday, July 16 and jeered him as he spoke of his Jewish heritage

“We’re not going to let these losers define us and take up space in our heads. We’re going to send the message of who Nashville really is,” Kupin said. “What I witnessed in our chambers was not First Amendment expression. It was harassment and intimidation. When you’re following someone around, you’ve got a camera in their face, and you’re throwing barbs at them, to me, that’s not First Amendment expression. That’s harassment.”

According to Kupin, Nashville authorities have good intel on the group and their movements. He added that even though there is no indication the group has another protest planned, city leaders will be ready for one should it happen.

Both Kupin and Byrd told News 2 the group is still in the Nashville area.

Meanwhile, Kupin told News 2 there is a unity march planned for Sunday, July 21 at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.

As for the neo-Nazi protester and the bartender involved in last weekend’s fight, officials said McCann was charged with felony aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. Meanwhile, the bar employee was arrested on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and resisting police, with a bond set at $2,000.

Police said a judicial commissioner originally ordered McCann be held on an $81,000 bond. However, according to Steve Hayslip with the Nashville-Davidson County District Attorney’s office, a judge reduced it to $51,000, against the strong recommendations of the DA’s office.

In addition, Hayslip said the judge imposed conditions, including having McCann forfeit his passport, outfitting him with a GPS ankle monitor prior to any release from detention, and ordering him to stay away from the victim or the location of the incident.

Jail officials said McCann is due in court on Thursday, July 25.

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