On March 28, 2026, at approximately 5:15 p.m., Memphis Police officers responded to a disturbance near 2nd Street and Beale Street involving individuals associated with a permitted rally at Robert R. Church Park.

While organizers had a valid permit for use of the park, the permit did not include a march. During the event, participants began marching into the roadway.

Officers observed multiple individuals in the street obstructing traffic and made repeated verbal requests for approximately 40 minutes for them to move to the sidewalk so that normal traffic flow could resume and to ensure the safety of all individuals involved.

Despite repeated requests to clear the roadway, several individuals refused to leave the street and instead interlocked arms, forming a human chain.

Officers then began detaining those individuals who remained in the roadway. As officers made arrests, some individuals resisted, and an officer deployed pepper spray.

A total of six individuals were detained. Three individuals were charged. This incident remains under investigation.

Rueben Burch, 33, was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Obstructing Highway/Passageway, Interfere with Officer Serving Process, and Resisting Official Detention.

Adam Nelson, 41, was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Failure to Obey Traffic Officer, and Obstructing Highway/Passageway.

David Rahaim, 42, was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Obstructing Highway/Passageway, and Resisting Official Detention.