According to the city of Memphis, citizens aren’t supposed to hold large weddings or church services, but you can gather in a large protest and block part of Union Avenue.
The city government says you’re supposed to stand six feet apart in bigger groups, but is it fine to be crammed together if it’s for the “right” cause?This is what the city seems to be implying when they allowed a group of more than 200 people to protest police brutality against minorities Wednesday evening. In addition to being packed together during the mostly-peaceful protest, many of the protesters did not wear a mask.
Because there were more than 25 people in attendance, Memphis requires that the group obtain a permit.
Grace Baker, a reporter for KWAM The Mighty 990 radio station, contacted Mayor Jim Strickland’s office. After inquiring if the group did or did not have a permit to protest, Media Affairs Manager Arlenia Cole confirmed that the members did not obtain a permit.
Even with all of these factors, the group was still allowed to protest and block part of the main road.Baker was then directed to speak with the Memphis Police Department about why the group was still allowed to hold their rally.
As of the publication of this article, Public Information Officer Karen Rudolph with Director Michael Rallings’ office has not responded to her email inquiry on the matter.
