Tennessee man arrested for wearing a gorilla mask to a BLM event, carrying a rope and bananas

[Hassin Bin Sober]

18. It will be interesting to see if this charge sticks.

The guy is a racist asshole but I think strutting around in a gorilla mask acting a fool might be protected by the First Amendment.

When I first heard he had a rope I thought yeah a noose could be construed as a threat. The asshole had a banana on a rope/twine. Not really a noose.

The statute requires threats or coercion. I don't see how this is a threat.

Definitely a violation of campus guidelines that should result in expulsion. Some would argue the state can't restrict free speech on campus. I disagree. He should be tossed. Not sure if this is a criminal act that should result in jail.


The statute they are charging him with says:

(1) that the defendant injured or threatened to injure or coerced another

Or

(1) that the defendant damaged, destroyed or defaced any real or

personal property of another person;

"Coercion" means a threat, however communicated, to:

(A) commit any offense; or

(B) wrongfully accuse any person of any offense; or

(C) expose any person to hatred, contempt or ridicule; or

(D) harm the credit or business repute of any person; or

(E) take or withhold action as a public servant or cause a public servant

to take or withhold action.7

"Intimidate" means to make timid, make afraid, overawe; to force or deter with threats or violence.8 "Intimidation" means unlawful coercion, duress; putting in fear.9

"Property" means anything of value