City council, MICAH seek change in Memphis
In front of a cheering crowd of more than 100 Tuesday morning, the Rev. Stacy Spencer and Janiece Lee taped a detailed document aimed at enacting systemic change to the chainlink gate outside Memphis City Hall.
The list asked, among other things, that the city of Memphis to invest in K-12 education and strengthen the civilian law enforcement review board (CLERB). It also prodded Shelby County to eliminate cash bail and reduce the number of people incarcerated who are awaiting trial. It called on Memphis’ corporate citizens to help address the wealth gaps that exist largely along racial lines.
The document is the equity and social justice charter the Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Hope and Change (MICAH) has compiled over two years of research, meetings and stakeholder interviews. It is among the proffered solutions brought by activists, the faith community and some local leaders seeking change to Memphis institutions after weeks of local and national unrest.
A few minutes after that list of requests was taped up on the gate outside Memphis City Hall, Charles Cannon, a member of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s security detail, came outside, took a picture of the document and went back inside.
Spencer noted Cannon’s presence and called for Strickland to hold a meeting with community leaders, the nonprofit community and others at a “neutral” location.
“We are asking for the leaders of our city to listen to the people. That’s why we elected you to listen to the people ... Even to the voices you may not agree with,” Spencer said. “I think the mayor needs to listen to more people. There’s a whole group of diverse leaders, and organizations and nonprofits who have all signed an agreement ... They need to be heard.”
Over the past two weeks, Strickland has met with some local pastors and activists, pledging to change the relationship between the Memphis Police Department and Black Memphians. Some activists have taken issue that they haven’t been invited to the meetings. And, on Tuesday, Spencer asked that Strickland meet with the community publicly.
In response to a Commercial Appeal inquiry if Strickland would meet with MICAH, Ursula Madden, Memphis chief communications officer, said: “Mayor Strickland or members of this administration have met with MICAH or a representative of MICAH on ... separate occasions over the last two years — including last Wednesday and Thursday.”
Strickland later said he would review the social justice and equity charter proposed by MICAH.
Council passes public safety accountability measures
The push to change Memphis isn’t limited to the activist and faith communities. The Memphis City Council has taken an active interest in recent weeks. And, on Tuesday, the council adopted a slew of measures intended to bring greater accountability from MPD and to increase the council’s oversight of the police department.
The council voted Tuesday to approve a resolution to increase MPD’S transparency. It passed unanimously.
The council also passed a resolution that urged the adoption of 8 Can’t Wait’s platform for reducing police brutality, which includes many measures that Strickland said the city has already adopted through MPD policy and state law.
And, the council would like Strickland to create a 13-member community task force to help inform the hiring of the next MPD director. Current director Mike Rallings retires next April. The city will start its search next month. That process, according to the city, will feature community engagement.
“We have a process that involves the general public. However, the mayor will review the resolution and consider the recommendations,” Ursula Madden, the chief communications officer for the city of Memphis, in response to a question from the CA.
Earlier Tuesday, Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley, Jr. attended the MICAH rally. Smiley has been among the members of the city council pushing for police reform.
Smiley gave Strickland credit for his response to weeks of protest.
“I would say he’s doing a pretty good job, especially this is not something normal. This is not something you had the opportunity to go through before,” Smiley said. “Everything won’t be perfect. A sign of good leadership is the ability to adjust. I think Mayor Strickland has been able to adjust.”
The councilman also addressed the city budget which, amid national calls to defund or reduce funding to police, increased the MPD budget by at least several million dollars. The adopted budget has not been posted online more than two weeks after it was approved, so it is unclear how much of an increase actually passed.
“We already started voting on the budget prior to the civil unrest. The budget from that standpoint was already approved,” Smiley said. “What I can tell you is that this council will pay very close attention as to the assurances of Director (Mike) Rallings that the current will reduce crime.
“And if it doesn’t, you can rest assured the Memphis City Council will take a long look at the Memphis Police Department’s budget and make whatever necessary decisions need to be made going forward.”
Samuel Hardiman covers Memphis city government and politics. He can be reached by email at samuel.hardiman@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @samhardiman.