The Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH) will demand accountability from elected officials for creating a more just and equitable Memphis at a virtual meeting at 4 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 25).
This is the third annual meeting for the coalition of more than 55 partner churches, synagogues, mosques and community organizations. Attendees will interact with and hear from local officials and candidates for public offices.
The elected officials and candidates will be asked to respond to a number of demands and recommendations that have grown out of MICAH’s task force research and deliberations.
Each topic is designed to elevate and aid Memphis’ underserved communities: renters’ rights, student supports and racial profiling in law enforcement and the courts.
For the first time, members of the MICAH Youth Council will present their requests of the Memphis Police Department.
“COVID-19 has revealed deep inequities surrounding these issues, thus intensifying our mission,” said Dr. Stacy Spencer, MICAH president. “We hope that the public meeting will create a sense of urgency with attendees and give them the opportunity to hold elected officials accountable for their action or inaction during the pandemic.”
MICAH said, for instance, that it will ask officials of First Horizon Bank whether the company has fulfilled its promise of making loans in five underserved areas of the metropolitan area.
Additionally, it intends to ask for the city council’s financial support for the Youth Education Success Fund, which promotes early literacy, high school success and mental health and wellness.
Issues of discrimination regarding youth summons and transfers to court are among the other important topics set for discussion.
Organizers will be invited to join a “get out the vote” effort in conjunction with the 2020 Voter Alliance, a statewide non-partisan effort.
(Guests can register at https://www.micahmemphis.org/goodtrouble.)
