Are you trying to file a complaint against a Memphis Police Officer? Back in 2012, we first documented the process and barriers we observed when filing a complaint against Memphis Police. Since then, we’ve assisted many others in trying to navigate the process in search of justice. While this should in no way be taken as a substitute for advice from an attorney, here are a few lessons we learned along the way….Read More
This week Memphis United had the opportunity to conduct Know Your Rights Theatre workshops with Girls Inc as well as Start Camp for entrepreneurship at Southwest Community College. We believe that youth are the solution not the problem. Thank you for the opportunity to meet these amazing, young change makers. If you are interested in us hosting a workshop for your organization you can email Faith Pollan at faith@midsouthpeace.org. 
We are also preparing to host a Juvenile Justice Youth Summit the first weekend of September. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, getting involved with the Juvenile Justice Project as a whole, or if you know a young person who might want to present at the summit you can also contact Faith Pollan at the aforementioned email address. You can also sign up as a community service partner at bit.ly/2kfB7Qr
The Juvenile Justice Project is also excited to welcome back intern Montez Reed. Montez is a Rhodes student who interned with us since last spring. He has been a huge asset to us and we are thrilled that he has decided to return to intern with JJP at the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center.
ACTION ALERT!! In conjunction with the National Housing Week of Action called “Our Homes, Our Voices” July 22-29, under the National Coalition for the Homeless, H.O.P.E. is having a rally at City Hall on July 25 at 3:15 p.m. We demand that Congress lift the low spending caps required by the Budget Control Act equally for defense and non-defense programs and ensure the highest level of funding possible for afforadable housing.
Locally H.O.P.E demands a FREE, accessible, city run shelter for people experiencing homelessness; inclusive of marginalized groups such as single women, single men, LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities. We beleive that access to safe, affordable shelter is a human right. We call on the city of Memphis to enact an ordinance for minimum standards for all shelters including transparency and accountability to the consumer, ADA compliance, new standards for sexual misconduct by staff, standards for staff training and ethics and the creation of an oversight board within the executive branch made up of those currently and formerly unsheltered which will provide oversight into allegations of misconduct within shelters.
#HousingForAll
Come join us for the rally and support our citizens!
Join PERL, Thursday, July 27th for our monthly General Interest meeting! The general interest meetings are open to everyone interested in organizing (and strategizing) around improving the enforcement of rape laws in Memphis, -while also making the process more accessible, transparent, and all around easier for the victims of sexual assault. PERL welcomes (and loves) new opinions, insight, or perspectives on the issues with the current process and accessibility. For more information please check our website: http://enforcerapelaws.org/
PERL would also like to announce a Public Relations Training in which we are partnering with the University of Memphis:
Think that only big corporations need public relations? Think again! In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the basic concepts of public relations, how public relations can help activist causes, and the nuts and bolts of press release and op-ed writing. Each participant will leave with public relations knowledge and materials to take their activist messages to the next level.
Presented by University of Memphis professors Stephanie Madden, Ph.D. and Melissa Janoske, Ph D.
There is a suggested donation of $10 per person, but no one will be turned away for inability to pay. Lunch is included.
Please RSVP on the Facebook event page or email info@enforcerapelaws.org
YOU’RE INVITED! MBRU’s hosting a block party to celebrate the return of bus service on the North side of the former 31 Crosstown. On August 5th, we’ll be at the New Chicago CDC (1036 Firestone Ave) from 12 to 3 PM! Join us for food, music, and community as we celebrate new bus service from CHS to Manassas, improving our access to grocery stores, health care, jobs, family and education! Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com
We also got some more coverage of our victory in the Memphis Daily News! “We’re pleased that MATA has decided to restore part of the route,” said Justin Davis, secretary of the Memphis Bus Riders Union and organizing coordinator for the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center. “For us, it is very significant – not just for the bus riders in the city in general but also for the New Chicago neighborhood, considering that they have not had bus service that actually went into the neighborhood for several years now.” View the full article here:https://www.memphisdailynews.
Grassroots Organizer Training for Power, Mid-South Peace and Justice Center’s training program, is committed to building our community’s capacity through building skills in grassroots organizing, providing support to people doing community work and offering oppression awareness and liberation education.
Our method of education is Popular and Direct Education. Direct education means education that directly confronts and challenges the current system of injustice, which includes traditional education.
Rather than traditional education, which gives all the expertise to textbooks and teachers, Direct Education invites the expertise of the people themselves. Direct Education is about liberation and empowerment — going to the direct source of wisdom: the community itself!
Upcoming Workshops!
Registration opens on July 24th
• September 21, Privilege and Oppression Awareness, 6pm – 8:30pm
• October 19, Facilitation Skills when disruption happens, 6pm – 8:30pm
• November DTBD, Community Organizing Skills Training (14+hour training – Fri. Sat. & Sun.) Please if you are interested in participating in this training send an email to gio@midsouthpeace.org
Please contact us to get more information and schedule a training in your group or community. Fees are negotiable, scholarships are available and donations for scholarships are greatly appreciated.
Trainings can be designed specifically for established groups, organizations, campaigns, coalitions, etc. Comprehensive weekend workshops on specific organizing skill sets, issue or community-specific formats are available.
Trainings in Spanish are also available. All trainings are offered in English or Spanish as requested. We work and collaborate with bilingual trainers and facilitators.
For more information visit G.O.T.Power or email us at GotPower@midsouthpeace.org
MBRU has a general meeting coming up this Saturday, July 8, from 12-2 PM at the Cossitt Library, 33 S. Front Street! We’ll be updating our members on our recent progress with the 31 campaign and discussing our plans for the summer. You can access the Cossitt Library on the #4, 12, 13, or 39 bus.
Organizing Coordinator Justin Davis also spoke to the Memphis Flyer last week about the partial restoration of the 31 Crosstown! “It’s not only a big victory for residents of New Chicago, but for bus riders and supporters throughout Memphis who have been fighting for this important route since last year,” Davis said. “At the same time, we will continue to push for a fully-funded 31 that has greater frequency, covers more of the service day, and serves South Memphis, especially Riverside.”
Click here for the full article: https://www.memphisflyer.com/
