This month made the Flyer editor try meditation. (Photo: Pop Nukoonrat | Dreamstime.com)
January has been a rough year, huh? United States citizens, torn apart like never before, have been inundated with a ridiculous array of presidential orders and policy changes dumped on us in an absolute whirlwind of nonsense in a matter of days. An emboldened and strange billionaire troll — who’s pulling political strings even beyond our scope of understanding — is not-so-subtly showing his true colors in front of the entire world. And, still, half of the folks we share this country with can’t agree that he and the guy who promised to “Make America Great Again” have more than a couple screws loose — and do not have our best interests in mind.
Lucky for you, I know that you’ve heard enough about this. You’ve processed or are still processing — maybe dissociating? Heh. Whatever the case may be, I’d bet we’re all more than a little dazed and confused in the dust of what’s happened since Inauguration Day — and under the looming worry of what’s to come.
So one thing I’ve done in recent weeks is meditate. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being an excellent meditator and 1 being the worst, I’m at zero. Maybe even -2. I am absolutely no good at quieting my anxious mind. But meditation is called “a practice,” so I’m practicing. I have some random app on my phone that had been sending me notification nudges to meditate every day for months. I, of course, ignored those notifications because who has time for that? Honestly, I ignore most of the notifications I receive. They never stop coming, and I can’t keep up. Those reminders to drink water or weigh myself today or log a journal entry— well, they’ll have to wait. At least until after I respond to a few dozen emails and contact the post office about why my package hasn’t been scanned in three weeks and call my insurance about charging me for medication that was previously covered. There’s always a big, long to-do list, right? But, if I understand all this correctly, that’s why meditation — if you can get there — is important.
There are all sorts of videos on YouTube you can access, playlists on Spotify, and probably a million other free meditation resources online. I’ve started with short, 5- or 10- minute guided meditations. It’s often frustrating because I can’t for the life of me see the meadow or the stream or the sunny sky they’re guiding me to see with my mind’s eye. There’s no staircase and no open window. And I spend an awful lot of time telling myself that I need to stop thinking. Thinking about thinking is not meditating. The point is not to think, right? Or to get past the thinking you and directly to the heart of consciousness? I really don’t know because I’ve never done it. But some people swear it does wonders for their love and appreciation of life, letting go of worry, increasing creativity, and on and on. Dive within, yes?
I guess for now, it’s good to at least put 10 minutes aside to lie with eyes closed even if I’m thinking about not thinking. I can certainly think of worse things to do and worse things to think about. And hey, meditation might be woo-woo to you. You don’t have to do it! I’m willing to try just about anything that’ll help me find some peace and purpose. Both are incredibly important, especially now when things feel so out of control. Take a 10 from the chatter and fear.
Amid the dust and the rubble, we may not be able to see the stream or the meadow or the shining sun, but they’re there, somewhere … in the stillness, beyond the dark. No matter what, don’t stop looking.
Young, Gifted and Green's 2024-25 Tribe 7 Lead Prevention Ambassadors at their first Leadership Retreat in Memphis.
Photo Credit: Young, Gifted, and Green via Facebook
The announcement of a freeze on federal funding for public loans and grants is likely to affect an environmental justice project for Memphis.
On January 27, a memorandum was leaked from the Office of Management and Budget to heads of executive departments and agencies. The letter ordered all federal agencies to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders.”
“This temporary pause will provide the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best use of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the President’s priorities,” the memorandum said. “The temporary pause will become effective on January 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.”
Prior to this announcement, Young, Gifted and Green, a non-profit environmental justice organization, received a nearly $20 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a result of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. However, the organization said they are uncertain if these rewards “will actually be awarded.”
According to a statement from Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) This funding was meant to establish the Mid-South Environmental Justice Center along with a community engagement plan, coordinated workforce training in green jobs, and hands-on water and air-quality testing.
“As we have seen in recent years, with fights over pipelines, air quality and our sand aquifer, we must be vigilant in assuring our neighborhoods and their residents see true environmental justice,” Cohen said. “This EPA funding will create a center to coordinate the appropriate responses and help communities get and remain safe and healthy.”
LaTricea Adams, founder, president, and CEO of Young, Gifted and Green said while they wanted this to be a great opportunity for the city, they are unsure about its fate.
“With today’s announcement of the temporary pause on all federal funding/programs is definitely felt and impacts our award,“ Adams said in a statement. “Despite these extreme circumstances, our application was selected out of thousands across the country, and we have not given up faith that we will see this project persevere,”
Adams said they will provide updates as they receive more information about the future of the project and their grant.
Jaren Jackson Jr. handles the ball in a game against the New York Knicks on January 27, 2024 at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies struggled mightily against the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks ended the Grizzlies’ six-game winning streak with a dominant 143-106 victory.
The Grizzlies’ ball-control issues led to a season-high 26 turnovers, including 20 steals from the Knicks, which they capitalized on, scoring 36 points off turnovers.
New York also dominated Memphis in fast break points, outscoring them 31-9. The Knicks put up 83 points in the second half.
Following the game, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins offered his assessment of the team’s performance. He said, “We didn’t have it for 48 minutes. Give the Knicks a lot of credit — they played great tonight. (I) thought their physicality was great. We had so many uncharacteristic moments in the game — defensively and offensively — definitely not our best tonight.”
Jenkins continued: “We were just out of sync from the very get-go. I mean, I thought their physicality was good, just some of our decision making was tough. And, we struggled finishing. So overall, give them credit, they played a great physical brand of basketball that we struggled with all night.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 21 points, shooting 8 of 14 from the field, and added four rebounds and two blocked shots.
Prior to the game, Jackson Jr. earned his first-ever NBA Western Conference Player of the Week award. He guided the Grizzlies to a perfect 4-0 record, averaging 25.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. The All-Star candidate’s stellar week was highlighted by his excellent shooting, with a field goal percentage of 57.6%, a three-point percentage of 38.1%, and a free throw percentage of 82.6%.
Desmond Bane contributed 16 points and 4 assists, but struggled with ball control, committing a team-high 6 turnovers.
Ja Morant scored 10 points on 5-13 shooting with two assists in 27 minutes, a departure from what we are used to seeing from the superstar guard.
Zach Edey had a strong outing, tallying 9 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks, just shy of a double-double.
The Grizzlies are gearing up for a showdown with the Houston Rockets at FedExForum this Thursday, January 30th, at 8:30 p.m. CT. You can catch the action live on TNT. The matchup promises to be an exciting one, as both teams are vying for the second spot in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies are currently 31-16, while the Rockets stand at 31-14.
State and local groups are denouncing the recent distribution of racist flyers promoting white supremacy groups in Memphis.
The flyers have been seen around the city in the past few days, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and The NAACP Memphis Branch. They allegedly show anti-immigrant images and are similar to ones seen recently in other Tennessee cities, Ohio, and Virginia.
CAIR said one flyer promotes the Ku Klux Klan. Another promotes “another white supremacist group.” Such flyers for Patriot Front have recently surfaced in other areas.
Public images of the flyers online are scarce. Some that were posted on social media were removed for their content. This was the case for the Ludlow (Kentucky) Police Department that said, “after some discussion we have decided to take down the flyer because it serves no real purpose but we will keep this post up.”
“We are aware and have already taken one report for this disturbing and disgusting KKK propaganda that is being passed around our community,” the agency said on Facebook. “This hateful garbage has been turning up in other cities as well.”
One flyer from the KKK shows Uncle Sam kicking people with the phrase, “Leave now. Self deport.” Another shows Uncle Sam with his foot on a cage full of people with the same phrase and, “Americans on guard. Help us protect our homeland.”
The NAACP described the distribution of the flyers as “cowardly acts.” Those responsible party’s “attempt to divide us will not succeed.”
Credit: NAACP Memphis Branch
“These actions are deeply offensive to the values of equality, unity, and justice that our community hold dear,” said NAACP Memphis Branch president Kermit Moore. “The circulation of such vile propaganda under the name ‘The Ram of the Knights’ seeks to intimidate, sow fear, and divide our city at a time we must come together to address critical challenges and uplift one another.
“The reprehensible act reminds us of the ongoing presence of hatred and racism that we must confront and dismantle with unwavering resolve.”
The group asked local leaders and agencies to condemn the flyers and asked local police to investigate the matter.
CAIR has condemned similar racist and white supremacist activity in Tennessee and around the country in recent years. The group echoed the sentiment of the NAACP.
“This type of hate propaganda will not succeed in intimidating or dividing the communities of Memphis or any other American city,” said CAIR national communications director Ibrahim Hooper.
For years, citizens and some lawmakers have complained that voice votes on bills in Tennessee House legislative committees reduce transparency and, sometimes, are unfair.
In a voice vote, the chair decides if he or she heard more ayes or nays. There is no vote count recorded, and no one really knows who voted how.
Senate committees don’t have this problem where roll call votes are standard for all bill votes.
The House adopted new rules recently that require roll call votes in committees through an electronic roll call system similar to the electronic roll call system used for votes on the House floor. Committee members would not be allowed to change their votes after the votes are displayed.
“All votes constituting final action on any bill or resolution and all votes taken on demand by any three (3) members, or by request of the sponsor if made prior to any vote, shall be taken by the electronic roll call system,” says the recommendation for the new rules from the Select Committee on Rules.
A final action on a bill would be the final vote on the bill.
The recommendations say that if the electronic roll call system is inoperative, the committee can take a voice vote or a traditional verbal roll call vote by calling out members’ names for their votes.
The Calendar & Rules Committee is the only committee that would have the option to use voice votes or use the electronic roll call system.
The new system required required technology upgrades in House committee rooms.
State Rep. Chris Todd (R-Madison County) praised the new electronic roll call votes on the House floor on Thursday. He said that he has heard complaints from constituents ever since he was elected about the lack of a roll call vote in House committees. He said one constituent even offered to pay for any system that allowed roll call votes.
Another new recommended rule adds a penalty to a member who “transgresses the rules” of the House after the member has already lost the ability to be recognized because of other rule transgressions. The member can be removed from the House chambers upon a House majority vote and loses the ability to vote for the next three legislative days. However, the member would be allowed to vote remotely from a room designated by the Chief Clerk.
When T. Jarrod Bonta heard Casper Rawls do “Don’t You Know Who We Think We Are?,” it made a big impression.
“I first heard the song at the Continental Club,” he says “I was underage, and had to sneak in to hear him play. Later on, I had the pleasure of working with him many times throughout the years I lived in Austin, and I still do when I make it down that way.”
Bonta loved the song, written by Rawls and Suzy Elkins, so much he made it his own.
“I had the honor of recording this song at the historic Sam Phillips recording studio, with some of my favorite Memphis musicians: Danny Banks on drums, Matthew Wilson on bass, John Paul Keith on guitar, and engineered by Scott Bomar. Everything was recorded live, just like the big boys do it, no overdubs, this was the first take. It sounded like rock and roll to me!”
Bonta’s animated visuals have a charming, handmade quality that fits the song’s vibes.
“The video is inspired by the lyrics of the song, A lot of these images are merely the way I sometimes see the world. I’ve never played a grand piano underneath a highway overpass before, but I think it would be cool!”
If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.
Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition via Unsplash
A new partnership will allow Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS) to provide students and families with testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI), counseling, treatment, education, and more.
The Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) announced the partnership with MSCS last week. The health department said it wants to provide more resources for younger people who have been diagnosed with HIV and to be proactive in preventing the disease.
Shelby County has historically had one of the highest new infection rates for HIV in the nation. In May of 2024 The SCHD noted an “alarming increase in newly diagnosed cases of HIV in our community.” Officials said the highest increase affected people aged 14 to 45, and was not “spread evenly throughout the county.”
The spread of HIV among teens rose 50 percent from 2022-2023
“Preliminary data from the Tennessee Department of Health indicates the infection rate for people aged 15 to 19 in Shelby County increased by about 50 percent from 2022 to 2023,” the health department said in a statement. “Rates of new HIV cases among young people aged 15 to 24 years old in Shelby County are more than five times higher than the same age group in the United States overall.”
Shelby County Health Department director and health officer Dr. Michelle Taylor said that the impact of HIV and STIs on young people is “significant” and is further complicated by stigma and “a lack of access to healthcare resources.”
“Rates of new HIV cases among young people aged 15 to 24 years old in Shelby County are more than five times higher than the same age group in the United States overall.”
Shelby County Health Department
Prior to this announcement the health department, United Way of Greater Nashville, and John Snow, Inc.(JSI) hosted the first Shelby County HIV summit in October at the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis. The summit not only facilitated conversations on how to coordinate efforts about HIV awareness and prevention, but how to address rising rates in Shelby County, which Taylor said represents a renewed sense of commitment to teamwork.
Taylor said, during these conversations, people realized that the health department had not been in MSCS, the largest school district in the state, since before the pandemic.
“It was a renewed sense of urgency to say, ‘Hey, why aren’t we in the schools?’” Taylor said. “Or, if we’re in the schools, ‘Why is it limited?’”
As a result of these conversations, Taylor and her team provided a memorandum of understanding to increase the health department’s presence at schools.
“Memphis Shelby County Schools services 106,000 students and a lot of those students are adolescents, people we know we need to educate with comprehensive sex education and teach them how to best protect their health in every way,” Taylor said. “We’re super excited.”
According to Taylor, education plays a large role in diminishing stigma and engaging young people. She said this still stands as a barrier to addressing HIV.
“Here in the traditional South, in what we know as ‘The Bible Belt,’ a lot of times stigma can get in the way,” Taylor said. “Stigma and stigmatizing people who are living with HIV gets us nowhere. Especially when we know even if you’re living with HIV you can live a long, fruitful life.”
Taylor said that HIV prevention and treatment have come a long way, resulting in more care for those living with the disease, which can aid in conversations that seek to address stigma.
“This valuable partnership with MSCS will help us provide our young people with the information, screenings, and preventive care they need to protect themselves. I am grateful to the Shelby County Board of Education and Memphis-Shelby County Schools leadership for putting the health of students and families first in making this beneficial collaboration possible,” Taylor said.
Jaren Jackson Jr. shoots against the Utah Jazz. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE for Getty Images.)
The Grizzlies closed out their four-game homestand Saturday night with a decisive 125-103 victory over the Utah Jazz. Memphis swept the homestand and has now won six games in a row.
Any win is by definition a good win, but this one holds significance with all five starters in double figures and GG Jackson scoring his season-high off the bench.
The Grizzlies got off to a good start, taking a solid 65-57 lead into the second half. But it was the third quarter where Memphis really took over and asserted its dominance. They went on a 24-7 run and outscored the Jazz 36-17 in the period.
Some poor officiating in the second quarter benefited the Grizzlies, when Utah forward Drew Eubanks was ejected on a flagrant penalty two foul that looked much closer to a flagrant one. (A flagrant penalty one foul is unnecessary contact committed by a player against an opponent; a flagrant penalty two foul is contact that is unnecessary and excessive.)
Utah outscored Memphis 29-24 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Grizzlies’ sizeable lead, propelled by big performances from the starting five.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the team in scoring with 28 points, and added 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block while shooting 10 of 14 overall and 2 of 4 from three-point range.
Zach Edey put up 19 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks on 5 of 8 overall shooting and 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.
Desmond Bane added 17 points, a team-high 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 7 of 11 overall and 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.
Jaylen Wells finished with 16 points and 4 rebounds on 5 of 8 overall shooting and 2 of 4 from three-point range.
Ja Morant closed out with 11 points, 1 rebound, 7 assists, and 1 steal on 4 of 9 overall shooting.
From the bench, GG Jackson scored a season-high 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. Jackson made his season debut on January 20th after recovering from surgery in September to repair a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies are heading to the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, to take on the New York Knicks on Monday night. Tip-off is at 6:30 PM CST.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey tap hands during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, January 24, 2025. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
On Friday night at FedExForum, the Memphis Grizzlies secured their fifth consecutive win, defeating New Orleans, 139-126, and halting the Pelicans’ four-game winning streak in the process.
Memphis improved to 30-15 on the season and 18-5 at FedExForum.
The Pelicans ended the first half on a high note, going on a 15-2 run to take a 71-62 lead into the break. However, Memphis had other plans in the third period.
The Grizzlies came out scorching in the second half, making their first 14 shots and erupting for 43 points in the third quarter on 17-of-22 shooting. They also dished out a season-best 13 assists in the quarter.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 29 points, highlighted by a 15-point outburst in the third quarter. He shot with precision, making 10 of 16 field goals and 5 of 9 three-point attempts and dished out a career-high-tying seven assists.
— Grizzlies On FanDuel Sports Network (@FDSN_Grizzlies) January 25, 2025
Jackson Jr. said he believes the Grizzlies’ three-point shooting “opens it all up” and forces defenses to adjust. He praised teammates Luke Kennard, Jaylen Wells, and Desmond Bane for making smart passes, and also commended Wells for his consistent shooting.
Jackson Jr. credits the Grizzlies’ improved team flow for making Bane’s shots easier and more open. He also praised Kennard’s consistent shooting, noting that when Bane and Kennard are making shots, others contribute with good shooting nights.
Jackson Jr. said effective communication is essential to the Grizzlies’ defense, enabling players to stay alert and make informed decisions. He noted that the team is addressing defensive struggles by communicating loudly and attributed many of these issues to a lack of awareness, rather than a lack of effort.
Kennard had a standout performance, scoring 27 points and dishing out six assists. He shot impressively, converting 10 of 14 field goals and 7 of 9 three-pointers. Notably, Kennard has been on a hot streak from beyond the arc, making 14 of his last 20 three-point attempts over the past two games.
Following the game, the Duke alum shared his thoughts on his recent surge: “When you have the ball in your hands, you have to be even more focused trying to make the right play, being aggressive. And for me, I think Coach (Taylor Jenkins) knows if I have the ball in my hands, especially early in the game, (it) gets me going a little bit — gets me into a rhythm. So credit to Coach for just trusting me in that aspect, getting me going early and getting me involved in the game.”
Kennard recognized Ja Morant and Bane as the team’s primary ball handlers, and said that his focus is on being aggressive without the ball and making smart, aggressive decisions when he does get the opportunity to handle it.
Bane had another phenomenal game, tying his season high with 14 assists and adding 20 points. The performance marked his seventh consecutive game with 20+ points and his fourth double-double of the season. Bane’s consistent scoring and ability to facilitate for his teammates have been key factors in the Grizzlies’ success.
Bane pointed out that the Grizzlies’ newfound proficiency from beyond the arc has made opponents think twice about leaving players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Morant, or himself unguarded: “This creates opportunities for easy scores or open shots when defenses provide help.”
Rookie Zach Edey delivered a notable performance, securing his fifth career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. His well-rounded effort also included three assists, one steal, and two blocks.
Community organizer Keedran Franklin (left) speaks at a Black Lives Matter rally in 2015. A federal order known as the Kendrick Consent Decree prohibits police from gathering political intelligence on activists engaged in lawful dissent. (Micaela Watts)
This story originally appeared on the Institute for Public Service Reporting Memphis website here.
Critics fear a judge’s decision last week will weaken a long-standing federal order that bans the Memphis Police Department (MPD) from spying on citizens.
The ruling Wednesday by U.S. District Court Judge Jon McCalla modifies an order known as the Kendrick Consent Decree by replacing a private attorney who monitors police activities with two lawyers employed by the city of Memphis and assigned to the MPD.
The measure is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN), which successfully challenged MPD and the city of Memphis in federal court for illegally surveilling activists involved in protests against police abuse and other lawful dissent.
But Bruce Kramer, the lawyer who first sued the city in 1976 for MPD’s illegal political intelligence gathering, says the ruling is not in the public’s best interest.
Bruce Kramer
“It’s not as bad as putting the fox in charge of the hen house. But the history of this is that the city has never liked this consent decree and has wanted it to end. This is just one more step towards that process,” Kramer said.
Rev. Elaine Blanchard, an activist who was followed by police and placed on a “blacklist’’ that banned her and scores of others from entering Memphis City Hall without a police escort, said the development is worrisome.
“I don’t believe the police have changed any,” Blanchard said. “I feel that they need oversight. Not from within themselves, but from outside of themselves.”
City officials were not able to immediately respond to a request for comment.
McCalla’s ruling approved the “Kendrick Consent Decree Sustainment Proposal,” filed as a joint motion by ACLU attorney Stella Yarbrough, city outside counsel Bruce McMullen and independent monitor Ed Stanton, a former U.S. Attorney in Memphis now in private practice with the Butler Snow law firm.
The 15-page sustainment proposal emphasizes that Stanton’s 2018 appointment was never intended to be permanent but “was meant to be temporary.’’ It contemplates a transition period ending between July 1 and Sept. 30 when Stanton will be replaced by two compliance officers on the city’s payroll.
“During this transition period, the city will designate at least two employees to serve as Consent Decree Compliance Officers,’’ the proposal says. It recommends two staff attorneys to fill these roles: MPD legal advisors James Thomas and Rosalyn Dobbins.
“Additionally, the Chief of Police has authorized the designation of an additional member to assist the Compliance Officers. The ideal candidate for this position is a current MPD officer with a law degree who will serve at the direction of Ms. Dobbins and Mr. Thomas,’’ the proposal says.
As a safeguard, the proposal calls for the compliance officers to receive “oversight and guidance” from three outside subject matter experts. The proposal recommends three individuals already on Stanton’s monitoring team: Rachel Levinson-Waldman, managing director of the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty and National Security Program; David N. McGriff, former deputy commissioner and chief of staff of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security; and Dr. Theron L. Bowman, a former Texas police chief and president and CEO of The Bowman Group police practice consultancy.
Judge McCalla’s ruling followed a hearing last week when the city, the ACLU, the monitor and the subject matter experts all expressed support for the proposal.
The Kendrick Consent Decree was first entered in 1978 and modified five years ago following new revelations that MPD was again spying on political activists.
The initial decree in 1978 followed revelations that MPD had set up a special unit that used a network of informants and direct police surveillance to gather information on civil rights and Vietnam War protestors and others engaged in lawful political dissent. Created at the height of the Cold War with direct assistance from the FBI, MPD’s Domestic Intelligence Unit was one of a number of police “Red Squads” established across the U.S. in the 1950s and ’60s when many Americans feared the country was vulnerable to communist insurrection.
The unit was exposed after a Vietnam War veteran learned police were keeping a file on his personal and political activities, prompting legal intervention by Kramer and the ACLU in 1976. A judge issued the Kendrick Consent Decree two years later after finding MPD routinely violated First Amendment guarantees protecting free speech and peaceful assembly.
Activist Theryn C. Bond signs her name to a list at a rally at Memphis City Hall in 2017 protesting a “blacklist” created by city officials that designated number of activists, journalists, and critics of Memphis police as threats to public safety. (Micaela Watts)
In 2017, the public learned that MPD was surveilling a new generation of activists after The Commercial Appeal first reported evidence of a “blacklist” that included Blanchard and other private citizens who had no prior interactions with the criminal justice system. Blanchard and three others sued the city, and the ACLU intervened as a plaintiff.
The resulting federal investigation exposed additional digital surveillance that MPD used on activists and journalists who reported on local government.
In 2020, Judge McCalla sided with the ACLU, approving a binding agreement that established new ground rules for the use of surveillance technology. MPD would have to operate within these revamped guidelines under the watch of Stanton and a monitoring team, McCalla ruled.
Kramer said Stanton and the monitoring team “have done a fine job.” But he worries that the two city-employed compliance officers won’t have the same view.
“They’re only going to see what the city wants to give them. It’s not the same as having a real advocate or adverse party reporting deficiencies,” Kramer said.
The proposal approved by Judge McCalla creates a “transition period” that will begin immediately. Stanton will stay on board to evaluate the current duties Dobbins and Thomas already have with MPD and whether they have the capacity to take on the newly created roles.
Following completion of the transition period, a “sustainment period” will begin and run for as long as 24 months. However, the city could move to terminate the sustainment period after 18 months, effectively ending oversight.
Kramer is betting they will.
McCalla could deny what Kramer feels is an inevitable request from the city, but Kramer asks, “Who’s going to contest it? With all respect to the ACLU, which covers the entire state, this isn’t at the top of their priority list.”
Stanton could not be reached for comment. Prior to Wednesday’s ruling, ACLU attorney Yarbrough issued a statement to the Institute for Public Service Reporting acknowledging the eventual conclusion of outside monitoring.
“While the consent decree remains in effect to safeguard free speech rights, the ACLU-TN, the city, and the Independent Monitor will continue to ensure the city’s compliance,” Yarbrough wrote. “The conclusion of outside monitoring in the coming year reminds us that the work of protecting Memphians’ First Amendment rights is ongoing.”
