23-year-old Ashton Bates was charged with assaulting an officer and resisting arrest as well as issued a civil citation for littering when a Nashville Symphony employee called Nashville Metro Police on a trespasser.
On July 15th, Metro Nashville Police were dispatched to the Nashville Symphony at 1 Symphony Place in regard to a trespasser. According to affidavits, Ashton Bates already had an active trespass waiver on file. When officers approached him, they observed him sleeping next to four empty containers. They attempted to rouse him and were ignored until Officer Hill tapped Bates’ foot with his own foot, prompting Bates to state “don’t fucking touch me again or I will sue you”. After being told multiple times to pick up his trash and be gone, Bates stood up, said the trash wasn’t his and proceeded to walk away.
Officer Hill then impeded his departure and asked for identification in order to issue him a citation for littering. Bates spat on the officer while explaining that the trash was “not fucking” his and suggested the officer pick up the garbage himself. After being spit on, Officer Hill initiated an arrest for the assault. Ashton Bates refused to be taken into custody so Officers Posey and Taylor had to assist and he was ultimately taken to the ground to be handcuffed. He sustained a small abrasion on his leg and was also issued a citation for littering.
Ashton Bates was arrested and charged with assault and resisting arrest. He is jailed in lieu of a $2,000 bond.
Po-lease brutality. Makes me want to loot the local CVS. Say his name. Say his name.