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Archives for April 2017

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Day Without Immigrants March!


Dia Sin Inmigrantes La Huega Rally

On May 1st, meet us at Clayborne Temple at 5 PM to march to the National Civil Rights Museum. On this day immigrants and allies should not go to work, school or buy anything. We are going to make it clear that this country cannot function without immigrants. This is only the beginning of our struggle for permanent protection, dignity and respect.

Estaremos teniendo un rally por el dia sin inmigrantes que da inicio a una temporada de boycotts y huelgas.

For more information click here.

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H.O.P.E. Presents: Memphis Tent City!

Action Alert! Join H.O.P.E. May 6 from 4 – 8PM at Morris Park.The City of Memphis spends exactly zero dollars on emergency shelter for their own most vulnerable citizens. Join us on Beale Street Music Fest Weekend, May 6th, as we greet newcomers to our city. Those who are unhoused will have been pushed out of downtown by security officials and police officers, so come join us in our tent city. Think folks who don’t have housing have lots of options? Think again! Come talk to people who live this reality, every day. H.O.P.E. demands accountability from the city as to why there is NO free, public, year-round shelter.

For more information on the needs or what to bring with you, check out the Facebook event page here.

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2016 Annual Report

The Mid-South Peace & Justice Center has once again had an amazing year working in and with the Mid-South community through our program areas of G.O.T. Power (Grassroots Organizing Training for Power), H.O.P.E. (Homeless Organizing of Power & Equality), M.B.R.U. (The Memphis Bus Riders Union), The Renter’s Rights Project, and Memphis United. All of the work we were able to complete in 2016 could not be done without our amazing members and donors.

Read or download our 2016 Annual Report Here.

Quick Highlights from 2016:

  • G.O.T. Power offered a total of four workshops addressing privilege and oppression to
    doulas, college students, and the public at large.
  • H.O.P.E. published and distributed copies of the updated version of the Memphis
    Homeless Survival Guide, the city’s first user-friendly directory for all homeless
    services. This guide is now in high demand from agencies that address
    homelessness
  • M.B.R.U. successfully lobbied Mayor Strickland and Memphis City Council to add $7.5 million to MATA’s budget: $2.5 million for operations and $5 million for the purchase of new buses.
  • The Renters Rights Project led an initiative that brought about a GMF  investigation by HUD and its funding was revoked due to repeated violations and a failure to properly address them, and its bond rating was lowered twice by the Securities and Exchange Commission. They agreed to sell its Warren and Tulane properties, and over 300 families were relocated.
  • Memphis United facilitated over 50 Know Your Rights Theatre workshops with close to 1,000
    young people across the Memphis area.

We could not thank you enough for making our work in the community possible! If you would like to help sustain the efforts of the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center in 2017 you can Donate Now and/or Become a Memeber today.

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Juvenile Justice Project Update!

Juvenile Justice Project: Welcome to Our New Partners!

Thank you and welcome to our newest partners with the Juvenile Justice Project! We’re working to build networks of churches and organizations to address our high number of youth offenders and the lack of opportunities for court ordered community service.

If your organization would like to partner to provide opportunities for our young people, please take a minute to fill out this form: tinyurl.com/jjp

Milllennials For Memphis
Heal The Hood Foundation of Memphis
Youth Leadership Initiative- Memphis
Green House of Deliverance for Domestic Violence
Alpha Kappa Alpha Mu Epsilon Chapter
ManKind Project
The Life Center Church
Love, Stewardship, & Christ Ministries
Anointed Outreach Ministries
Operation He’s My Brother
Millionaire Grind Clothing
North Memphis Farmers Collective
New Direction Christian Church
Memphis Alternatives to Violence Project
Bethel Church
Capleville United Methodist Church
New Sardis Baptist Church

For more information on the Juvenile Justice Project, click here: midsouthpeace.org/jjp or contact Paul Garner: 901.725.4990 or paul@midsouthpeace.org

 

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CLERB Monitors & Advocates Volunteer Opportunity!

Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board Monitor:

The Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board or CLERB is an independent, non-police Mayoral Agency with the authority to investigate allegations of misconduct filed by civilians against the City of Memphis Police Officers. The Board is composed of 14 members of the public, appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council with the jurisdiction to receive, investigate, hear cases, make findings and recommend action on complaints concerning the City of Memphis Police Officers. Complaints may be made by any person whether or not the person is a victim, or witness to the alleged misconduct.

The Mid-South Peace & Justice Center led a successful campaign to re-establish and strengthen the powers of CLERB by ordinance of the Memphis City Council, however, there are still issues that must be addressed for the board to be an effective tool for accountability.

The monthly meetings of CLERB are public, but often they are not widely attended, because they are not publicized. It has also become apparent that some members of the board may not fully understand the roles and responsibilities of their position, which is troubling, but not something which cannot be corrected.

We are seeking individuals who will attend the meetings on the second Thursday of each month, from 4-6PM at City Hall (125 N Main) to act as a monitor; observe the deliberations, record them, and analyze them from a legal perspective in such a way that this information can be made available to the general public.

Complainant Advocacy:

Another issue we have identified with CLERB, is a lack of advocacy for complainants. When complainants contact the review board, they often have no context or information about what to expect from the CLERB process, nor is there anyone officially appointed to help them review their own case, or assist them understand what to expect for the proceedings.  To that end, we are seeking individuals with experience in law to assist CLERB complainants with analyzing their Internal Affairs files, and help them be better prepared for the review process.

These positions could be approached as externship opportunities, school projects, etc for individuals studying law and the criminal justice system. For more information, please contact Paul Garner, Organizing Director with the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center: 901.725.4990 or paul@midsouthpeace.org

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 Now Accepting New Board Member Applications!


Do you have strong Board Leadership, Financial or Fundraising, Legal, Peace making, or Community Organizing expertise and looking for a new way to use said experience for the good of the Mid-South community? Well it is your lucky day, because the Mid-South Peace & Justice has just the opportunity for you!

We are now excepting applications to join the MSPJC Board of Directors. To obtain a copy of the position description, bylaws, and application please send an email expressing your interest to ashley@midsouthpeace.org. Once you have fully read the information and completed the application please email your completed applications to MSPJC’s Board of Directors Chair Person, Meredith Pace at meredithpace@gmail.com or bring it to the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center.

The deadline for all completed applications is April 26th, 2017. 

We strongly encourage all applicants to reach out to us as soon as possible, and look forward to reviewing your application to become one of our new Board Members!

Want to help transform your community? Join our monthly giving program #MyMSPJC Sustainers!