Protest Security

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)—There was a strong law enforcement presence at both rallies and it was part of a coordinated effort between local, state and federal agencies.

Tupelo Police called in reserves, along with officers who don’t normally work the streets, such as the school resource officers.

Also, agencies such as MHP, MDOT and even the MBI and FBI were involved. During the afternoon rally, officers kept counter protesters far away from the flag supporters, and they moved between the two as soon as the rally started.

Tupelo Police Chief Bart Aguirre says officers were well prepared.

Chief Bart Aguirre of Tupelo says,”We have been looking into this, gathering all the resources we needed to in order to make this thing happen and then we started scheduling our people to work the event.”

Mayor Jason Shelton says,”We had two very passionate groups, regardless of our opinion of those groups, they have a First Amendment right to assemble and exercise their freedom of assembly and free speech rights.”