The weekend brought days 18-20 of protests and demands in Greater Memphis. On Saturday, those taking to the streets included a group rallied by a trio of local pastors.
The Memphis Justice & Equality Prayer Walk was organized by Bishop Linwood Dillard, pastor of Citadel COGIC; the Rev. Darell L. Harrington, pastor of New Sardis Baptist Church; and the Rev. Melvin D. Watkins Jr., pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood.
Starting at the National Civil Rights Museum, the march ended with a Unity Rally in front of City Hall.
The call to participate included this: “Everyone is asked to wear mask and PPE.”
Here are more of the images:
GALLERY — (Photos by Tyrone P. Easley)
Man charged with driving into crowd of protesters
A man was charged with driving his vehicle into a group of protesters who were blocking a road at Midtown intersection, police said.
William Day, 57, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment and reckless driving, according to Memphis police spokeswoman Lt. Karen Randolph.
No one sustained serious injuries in Saturday’s incident at a Midtown Memphis intersection. After several vehicles yielded to protesters, Day’s vehicle continued to move forward into the group, police said.
Police said the investigation is continuing.
Another black man in America killed by police. His name: Rayshard Brooks
‘Stop fighting!’ Atlanta sobriety test quickly turned deadly
ATLANTA (AP) — One minute, Rayshard Brooks was chatting cooperatively with Atlanta police, saying he’d had a couple of drinks to celebrate his daughter’s birthday and agreeing to a breath test. The next, they were wrestling on the ground and grappling over a Taser before Brooks took the weapon and ran.
Seconds later, three gunshots sounded and Brooks fell mortally wounded.
Atlanta police video released Sunday showing a seemingly routine sobriety check outside a Wendy’s restaurant that quickly spun out of control, ending in gunfire. The killing of the 27-year-old black man in an encounter with two white officers late Friday rekindled fiery protests in Atlanta and prompted the police chief’s resignation. READ MORE
Living with COVID-19, Part IX
In the tenth installment of The New Tri-State Defender’s ongoing account of three Memphians coping with the coronavirus amid government-directed efforts to slow the virus’ spread, small-business owner James Cook re-opens at Memphis International Airport.
All Over Town small-biz snapshot: The BBplug.com
As protests for racial justice continue across the country and around the world, so has the push to support black-owned businesses. All Over Town columnist Brianna A. Smith spotlights Ashanti Surratt, TheBBplug’s owner and CEO.
For your consideration:
Virtual Summer Learning Academy: Online applications are open through June 19 for SCS’s Virtual Summer Learning Academy. There are 5,000 FREE spaces available for students in grades K-5 to participate in the online enrichment program, which takes place July 6-31.Â
Laptops and hotspots will be available for families who do not have a home device while supplies last. All students who complete the academy will receive a free backpack and school supplies for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.
Spaces are limited, so apply soon. Go to scsk12.org/summerlearningfor more info.
More from SCS:Â School Re-Entry Parent Survey
As long as the CDC’s social distancing recommendations are in place, it will be necessary to operate differently when SCS campuses reopen. All SCS families are asked to take the School Re-Entry Survey to share opinions on important factors related to the reopening of schools, such as preferences for in-person and virtual learning, health and safety decisions, transportation, student programs, childcare and more.
It’s confidential and only takes about 10 minutes. Parents can take the survey online at scsk12.org/re-entrysurvey.
TSD Music Video Vibe: “Wake Up Everybody” — Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
https://youtu.be/7pspeIJS7XQ
