Several Memphis groups have joined forces to launch the Free the 901 campaign ”to prepare, protect, and uplift the people of Memphis in the face of escalating authoritarian attacks — including the proposed deployment of the National Guard to patrol our neighborhoods.”
The coalition will host a news conference Saturday at the corner of Neely and Adams at 1 p.m. the conference will be followed by the “No Cooperation with Occupation” march at 1:30 p.m.
Free the 901 member groups include:
American Muslim Advisory Council
Black Voters Matter
Decarcerate Memphis
The Equity Alliance
Indivisible Memphis
Justice & Safety Alliance
Memphis Activism Calendar
Memphis Artists for Change
Memphis for All
Memphis Tenants Union
Memphis Voices for Palestine
MICAH
Official Black Lives Matter
Stand for Children Tennessee
Tennessee for All
TIRRC (Tennessee Immigrants & Refugee Rights Coalition)
Vecindarios 901
They say the Free the 901 campaign was born “out of urgency” after the Memphis Safe Task Force plans were unveiled earlier this month. That plan was crafted by President Donald Trump and will bring a host of federal agents to Memphis to fight crime. The plan also includes a deployment of National Guard troops here under the direction of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.
A member of the coalition warned Memphis could just be the beginning.
”Memphis is the incubator,” said Tikeila Rucker, a Free the 901 member. “What’s tested here becomes the blackprint for the rest of the country.”
Instead of militarization, Free the 901 said they prefer investment in people and communities.
”Safety comes from strong schools, affordable housing, living-wage jobs, and mental health resources, not soldiers on our streets,” the group said in a statement.
For updates form the group, text “Free901” to 25225.