Our Home Town--Lonely On A Friday Night

Oct 27, 2017 at 08:29 pm by bryan


The historic Murfreesboro square was closed to vehicle traffic Friday (10/27/2017) afternoon, but police allowed residents to visit downtown restaurants and walk around that evening. Cool temps in the 50s, brisk winds and a threat of rain made it extremely uncomfortable. When the crowds approach the square Saturday, the weather forecast is calling for rain, wind and the mercury in the mid 40s. Is there a message there?

Packed parking lots were reported at most hotels and motels. In addition, police were reportedly called Friday to services that feed the homeless. Some claimed to be with the White Lives Matter group.

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Downtown restaurants, bars and ice cream parlors were suffering greatly Friday afternoon and evening. It looked as if the most popular eateries had a quarter of their normal crowd. Some of the bars and casual dining places barely had anyone there in the prime 6:00PM hour.

It was a strange feeling, like visiting a friend who was sick. They were recognizable, but didn't look well.

All ages were writing their thoughts on the boarded-up storefronts, that a day earlier looked strong and healthy. The stately lawyer's offices that ring the square were covered from sidewalk up. Gone was the elegance that we all remember.

One talented group of grafitti artists colorfully adorned one wall with "All Lives Matter".

Two barriers of chain fencing encircled the entire courthouse, and all entrances to the square were blocked by barricades and a large presence of police.

On top of all this, officers with the Murfreesboro police department were walking around, talking with the strollers and making the best of a bad situation.

The attitude of the people here in the Heart of Tennessee is filled, as always, with optimism. And yes, the 200-plus year old square has seen rougher days--tornados, cannon balls, the Depression and more. It will make it through this as well!

Friday evenings ONE COMMUNITY UNITED prayer vigil at 6:00 o'cock Friday evening saw a strong cross section of denominations gathering at First Baptist Church on East Main at Spring Streets.

Earlier in the week, those who went to Demos' Restaurant or Peter D's American Southern Bistro were encouraged to pray at 1:00 o'clock Saturday (10/28/2017). In fact, Demos will be offering a prayer at 1:00 o'clock Saturday afternoon on WGNS.

WGNS Coverage

People have been asking, is WGNS going to give live coverage of the Saturday (10/28/2017) event? Our news department is set-up around the downtown area and ready to give coverage, should problems arise. However, with the well thought-out plans of law enforcement, we hopefully will not need to go "live" on the radio.

WGNS will break-in on our regular programming with "updates" throughout the event and still photos, videos and interviews will be included on our website.

WGNS will have massive pictorial coverage of the event on this website. Check www.WGNSradio.com. And if issues arise, tune to AM 1450, FM 100.5 and FM 101.9. Your Good Neighbor is prepared to be with you through another challenge.

FYI: The permit for the rally is 1:30 to 4:00 Saturday (10/28/2017) on the Murfreesboro public square. The League of the South is expected to be joined by affiliated groups. Other individuals and groups are expected as counter protestors.

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