Word On The Curb… The Birmingham, Alabama police department is under fire after some of its officers tased a band director for refusing to stop his students’ band performance following a football game.
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The Minor High School band performed “Talkin’ Out The Side of Your Neck” by Cameo, which did not end well for the band director, Johnny Mims. According to local reports, the altercation occurred around 9 p.m. on Thursday night at Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham.
Mims and his 145 band members were just a minute away from finishing their song when a Birmingham police officer approached the podium. Officers asked Mims to stop the performance so they could clear out the stadium, but Mims responded that the song was near the end and the performance had been agreed upon by both schools.
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When the performance ended, officers attempted to arrest Mims for non-compliance. Birmingham police said Mims refused to place his hands behind his back and allegedly pushed one of the officers who were attempting to handcuff him. However, Mims said he was caught off guard and that it was difficult to see who was grabbing him because the stadium’s lights were shut off in an attempt to stop his band’s performance.
Seconds later, an officer tased Mims, which he claims happened three times. However, Birmingham police claim it was only once. But, according to body camera footage released by the Birmingham Police Department, Mims was tased more than once.
Mims was transported to the hospital, and after being released, he was taken to jail on charges of disorderly conduct, harassment, and resisting arrest.
Mims‘ attorney, Juandalynn Given, called the incident “an alarming abuse of power” and is demanding that the officers involved be placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. Mims‘ attorney said they do plan to take civil action against the Birmingham Police Department.
WATCH VIDEO BELOW:
Mims has been a band director at Minor High School since 2018.Â
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