Image Credit: Johnson City Police / YouTube
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
Johnson City staff is appealing YouTube’s decision to remove a video they posted displaying almost 6 minutes of shooting incidents and fights breaking out in downtown Johnson City.
YouTube cited a violation of their company policy on violent and graphic content which says that channel owners are not to post content including fights involving minors or footage involving “street fights (and physical attacks…with the intent to shock or disgust viewers.”
The video was released earlier this month but YouTube had already taken it down as of Friday, July 11th.
A link to the compilation video of cell phone, surveillance, and police body cam footage, was printed in the most recent issue of Johnson City’s “Know. All. Out.” newsletter, which has 508 subscribers according to city officials.
According to News Channel 11, city officials maintain that the video was posted with the intention “to inform” not to “shock or disgust viewers” like YouTube’s policy prohibits.
The video was linked in an article providing information about the intent of city officials to change the “last call” time for downtown bars from 3AM to 1AM.
City officials hoped the video would provide a clear picture of the area’s current problem with weapon and drug-related crimes, violent crime in general, and the rate of DUIs issued in the downtown area specifically between the hours of 1AM to 4AM.
“Some of these incidents were captured on video and may be viewed below,” the newsletter read. “Viewer discretion is advised.”
Johnson City responded to the video’s removal saying, “We understand that the content is difficult to watch. It’s violent and not something that represents Johnson City. However, our intent is not to alarm, but to inform. We wanted to provide residents with a clearer understanding of the challenges we are facing. We want them to have accurate information so they can form their own opinions and be informed of the steps the City is exploring to try to help address the issues.”
Back in March of this year, the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation that allowed Johnson City to set their own sales hours for alcohol outside the statewide 3AM cut-off.
The legislation passed by a 31-1 vote in the Senate and an 83-6 vote in the House of Representatives.
HB1361/SB1155 was filed by Rep. Rebecca Alexander (R-Jonesborough-District 7) and Sen. Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City-District 3) at the request of the Johnson City Commission.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
2 Responses
Youtube is owned/ran by lucifer’s Google. Sad how many are ignorant of their evil. The BEST browser is Brave. Brave blocks most pop ups and DOES NOT track you. Been MANY years since I used Google browser, I fortunately went with Yahoo mail from the gitgo so I’m not tangled up with Google there either.
Johnson City should post their videos on Rumble. Forget YouTube they are so hypocritical and sensitive. Their “FEELINGS’ get hurt so easy. Liberal nonsense.
In God we trust not government or man.
Have a blessed day.