Decarcerate Memphis and the Official Black Lives Matter Memphis chapter are hosting a “Week of Action,” for Tyre Nichols.
The week started on Thursday, February 2nd, with a phone zap, where members of the community were asked to make calls to Memphis City Council and county commissioners and let them know “you want our demands met and ordinances passed.”
Both organizations have been vocal about police reform. According to the Decarcerate Memphis website, the organization “exists to apply common sense strategies and a community-oriented approach to the problematic system of policing. We do this by demanding funds are equitably allocated and resisting the criminalization of the poor.”
“We exist to dismantle systems that oppress us. We affirm all Black folks and their varied identities, including religion, gender, and sexual orientation. We work to create the alternatives that allow our people to thrive and live the lives they deserve,” said the Official Black Lives Matter Memphis chapter through Facebook.
According to an action toolkit provided by both organizations, the family demands include:
1. Release the body cam footage.
2. Charge the officers.
3. Name all officers and public personnel Memphis, Tennessee that were on scene.
4. Release the officers’ files.
Community demands include:
1. Pass the Data Transparency ordinance (tracking law enforcement data).
2. End the use of pre-textual traffic stops.
3. End the use of unmarked cars and plainclothes officers.
4. Dissolve the [Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods – SCORPION], [Organized Crime Unit – OCU], and [Multi-Agency Gang Unit – MGU]. End the use of task forces.
5. Remove police from traffic enforcement entirely.
As of Friday, February 3rd, some of the demands have been met including the release of the body cam footage, charging officers involved, the release of officer files, and the dissolving of the SCORPION unit.
“Hold them accountable. If they say no, keep calling but take notes,” said a post from Decarcerate Memphis on Instagram.
Other events for this week include an email blast scheduled for Friday, February 3rd, a “National Day of Action,” “Rest is Revolutionary: Make time for Black Joy,” a county commission meeting, a city council meeting, and a press conference.