Blog

The DOJ Validates What Memphis Communities Have Long Known to be True – Now It’s Time for Action

Dec 18, 202406 min read
The DOJ Validates What Memphis Communities Have Long Known to be True – Now It’s Time for Action
The Department of Justice’s comprehensive investigation into the Memphis Police Department (MPD) confirms what our community has long known and consistently voiced: MPD engages in a pattern of conduct that violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law. The findings—that MPD uses excessive force, conducts unlawful stops and searches, discriminates against Black people and people with […]

Standing Up for Justice: Why We’re Challenging Tennessee’s Unconstitutional Bail Law

Nov 12, 202403 min read
Standing Up for Justice: Why We’re Challenging Tennessee’s Unconstitutional Bail Law
Stand for Children Tennessee and the Official Black Lives Matter Memphis Chapter filed an amicus brief in support of a federal lawsuit contesting Tennessee’s recent law (HB1719/SB2565), which prohibits judges from considering a person’s financial circumstances and ability to pay when setting bail. This new law, co-sponsored by Rep. John Gillespie and Sen. Brent Taylor, […]

Taking a Breath and Post-Election Reflections

Nov 8, 202404 min read
Taking a Breath and Post-Election Reflections
As we come out of this challenging election, we must take care of ourselves, our families, our communities, and each other.  That’s why before we even knew what the results might be, we joined with partners to create the Post-Election Restoration Station for November 6th.  People of all ages and backgrounds came together to support […]

Community Organizations Challenge Sheriff’s Actions on Youth Transportation and Detention Center Transition

Nov 4, 202403 min read
Community Organizations Challenge Sheriff’s Actions on Youth Transportation and Detention Center Transition
On Friday, November 1, a coalition of youth justice and community organizations has issued an open letter to Sheriff Floyd Bonner addressing two urgent crises: the abrupt cessation of youth transportation services to court hearings and a rushed timeline for transitioning the Youth Justice and Education Center (YJEC). The letter raises serious concerns about how […]

Justice & Safety Alliance Urges County Commission to Prioritize Community Investments Over Additional Sheriff’s Department Funding

Sep 9, 202402 min read
Justice & Safety Alliance Urges County Commission to Prioritize Community Investments Over Additional Sheriff’s Department Funding
MEMPHIS, TN – The Justice & Safety Alliance (JSA) has issued an open letter to the Shelby County Commission and County Mayor, calling on them to reject the proposed $15.5 million emergency funding request for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO). The full text of the letter can be found at this link. In the […]

Opinion: Let Memphis choose its own leadership

Jun 27, 202404 min read
Opinion: Let Memphis choose its own leadership
In recent years, Memphians have decisively chosen Democratic leadership in 2018 and 2022, most notably electing Steve Mulroy to become Shelby County’s district attorney general. Despite this clear preference, the Tennessee Republican Party is determined to reclaim power in Shelby County, hearkening back to a time when Republicans dominated local government. This determination was underscored […]