Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Accountability topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents and activists press council for answers after force used at No Kings Day protest
Summary
Dozens of public commenters at the April 14 meeting accused Memphis Police Department officers of excessive force during a March 28 No Kings Day demonstration, demanded release of footage, public identification of officers and an independent investigation, and urged the council to summon MPD leadership to committee.
Dozens of community members told the Memphis City Council on April 14 that officers used unnecessary and excessive force at a March 28 demonstration, demanding transparency, preservation of footage and accountability.
Speakers described pepper spray used at close range, marshals and elderly participants tackled to the ground, and detentions they said lacked lawful basis. Amber Sherman told the council organizers and advocacy groups have repeatedly sought basic records and names of officers involved and, she said, "we had to find them ourselves because... police officers are public employees; they don't get to hide." Other speakers recounted people being shoved, sprayed and detained despite following marshals' directions.
Several speakers referenced the Justice Department's 2024 pattern-or-practice findings about MPD and asked the council to press for a consent decree or other binding remedies. Organizers handed the council a set of demands that called for (1) public identification of officers involved, (2) preservation and public release of all footage, (3) a clear timeline for an independent investigation outside MPD, and (4) immediate relief from duty for implicated officers.
Council members responded that the council's authority over personnel discipline is limited but said they could ask MPD leadership to appear before committee. Councilwoman Jerry Green said she would request that MPD Chief CJ Davis be scheduled to answer the community's four demands. Councilman JB Smiley said the council is evaluating an ordinance (cited as Ordinance 5852 during the meeting) that could provide a council avenue to access body-worn camera footage and that the body is checking whether that authority is pre-empted by state law.
Organizers and victims urged faster, clearer action. Several speakers who said they were safety marshals or were injured at the demonstration described injuries, arrests and continuing trauma, and some warned they would seek court processes and legal remedies if the administration did not act.
What comes next: Council members said they will press for committee review and invited MPD or the administration to provide a timeline; community leaders said they will seek independent investigations and public release of footage.
