The Memphis City Council voted against a resolution to interrupt the National Guard’s deployment in Memphis..
The resolution was originally backed by council members Jerri Green, JB Smiley Jr., Jeff Warren, and Pearl Eva Walker. Members Janika White and Jana Swearengen Washington abstained from voting during yesterday’s executive meeting.
Green said the resolution would have allowed the city to file a lawsuit against the guard if they act unconstitutionally during their presence.
At a press conference last week Green noted that the decision to deploy the guard was made by President Donald Trump, who she said had not walked the streets of Memphis. She also called for Governor Bill Lee, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, and other elected officials to “show some backbone.”
The councilwoman noted that crime is a problem in the city that needs addressing. However she invited pro-deployment officials to walk the streets of the city to see that it is “not a war zone,” and that the problems in the city stem from their “lack of leadership.”
“Your cowardice in this moment will be noted for history,” Green said. “Instead of sacrificing the rights for the people you swore to protect, I invite you to Memphis. Meet our people, see our grit and our generosity up close.”
The Guard’s deployment has been opposed by multiple groups, nationally and locally.
The Memphis branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) issued a statement that they respect the National Guard, but said the Guard should not be deployed to Memphis as they “should not be weaponized against the American people they swore to defend.”
Several citizens came to voice their disdain during the council’s executive session meeting, prior to voting on the resolution.
“I am really terrified of what Donald Trump is trying to do to our city,” a community member said. “Memphis is not any more dangerous than any other Metropolitan city in the United States, like Atlanta or New York City, for that matter. I don’t know why we have to have a National Guard. This is basically just an excuse for Donald Trump, who is a dictator, to control our city, to oppress people of color [and] poor people.”
While many have condemned the decision, Councilman Philip Spinosa said that he had talked to multiple people who were excited about federal resources being sent to Memphis.
Prior to the vote, Smiley reminded the council to remember who they represent in their decision-making, and encouraged them to join him in voting in favor of the resolution.
Green added that while they may be ignored by government officials such as Trump and Blackburn, she believes this is a matter worth defending regardless of the odds.
Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton said she knew that her colleagues did not want the guard present, but also said she would not allow the citizens to be “gaslit” or “have their emotions played with.”
“On August 22nd, I made a video, pleading and begging, ‘Say something somebody! Do something!’ and not one single word,” Cooper-Sutton said. “And now we want to say something. Now we want a grandstand and play with people’s emotions. What plan do we have in place? Because we know it’s going to happen.”
She added that the resolution wasn’t “worth the piece of paper it’s on,” and that the council should focus on solutions for citizens who may come in contact with the Guard. Cooper-Sutton voted against the resolution.