MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – Several protesters who stood ground in support of a man shot by Memphis Police a year ago are now facing indictments.
Martavious Banks was shot during a traffic stop last September and recently filed a $10 million lawsuit suing the city and the officers who shot him.
“They gave a five-second warning and attacked,” recalled protester Hunter Demster. “There was no warning, so I think that caught a lot of people off guard.”
Demster was one of six arrested in 2018. He was sent an indictment a year later, charged with obstruction of a highway or passageway.
“Hunter Demster, he didn’t do anything. They just came and locked him up because he was recording,” said Mario Denton, who helped organize part of that night’s protest.
Barabara Buress was arrested at the same protest. Local 24 captured the moments she was taken into custody.
“Actually, when she took off to running, that’s when about four or five officers used force and slammed her to the ground,” recounted Denton.
This month, Buress filed a $900,000 lawsuit against the city and police officers for excessive force and wrongful arrest. The suit claims officers “clotheslined” her, slamming her head on the ground, also claiming officers pulled down Buress’ pants, exposing her.
Indictment or not, Demster says he won’t be deterred from stopping what he calls injustices by the city.
“I don’t plan on stopping, and it’s going to take a lot more than a petty indictment to get me to,” he said.
Demster is due in court October 15. Attempts to reach the district attorney general’s office for comment on Monday were not returned.