News

It is that time of year again where we celebrate our country’s freedom -the 4th of July. However, some are not free and they don’ t have someone to celebrate with. For this reason, H.O.P.E. will be having a 4th of July barbeque for the homeless and the community. We are in need of supplies, like hot dogs, bottle water, accessories, napkins,plates, etc.

If you would like to donate supplies, monetary contributions, or volunteer to help out that day, please contact Tamara Hendrix by email at tamara@midsouthpeace.org or by cell phone (901) 254-5964. If you would like to help in planning, we will discuss the picnic at the H.O.P.E. meeting today at 2:30. Also you may drop your donations off at the MSPJC at 3573 southern 9:00-5:00, please call first 901-725-4990.

Please help us make this Independence Day special for someone who is less fortunate.

Yesterday, the MATA Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to partially restore the 31 Crosstown as the 31 Firestone! This is a victory for riders, especially the New Chicago community–who will see bus service within their neighborhood for the first time in three years. When you get together and work for something, you will see results. We will continue to push for the full restoration of our 31!

Co-chair Cynthia Bailey and Organizing Coordinator Justin Davis also spoke to a group of high school students at GRAD Academy Memphis about who we are and our work as a Bus Riders Union. GRAD Academy is currently hosting a Summer Institute: a free college experience with professors focused on social justice, self-empowerment, and literacy. Special thanks to the teachers and young people for welcoming us!

Finally, MBRU has a general meeting coming up on July 8, from 12-2 PM at the Cossitt Library, 33 S. Front Street! You can also get there on the #4, 12, 13, or 39 bus.

The Mid-South Peace & Justice Center is now starting donation-based screen printing training experiences that are open to the public and fun for individuals or small groups looking to learn a new skill or hobby while also giving back! These donation-based trainings will provide the needed funds to host *free* screen printing trainings for people experiencing of homelessness. Please contact us today to setup your private or group training with Streetwise Ink streetwise@midsouthpeace.org

“WE WANT SHELBY COUNTY TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTION:

1. Immediately take back Shelby County’s request for the U.S. Department of Justice to end its federal monitoring of Shelby County Juvenile Court.

2. Strengthen the community oversight group and seek input from the broader community on ending the court’s discrimination against black children.

3. Appoint a new county settlement agreement manager (to replace the manager who recently retired) who will report progress directly to the Shelby County Commission.

4. Continue to monitor and collect data as required in the original agreement with the DOJ. Publish the data in an easily accessible and understandable format.”

Read the full campaign and signt the petition here.

Show up and show out for increased bus service at MATA’s upcoming board meeting! On Tuesday, June 27 at 3:30 PM, the MATA board will be voting on upcoming service changes, including the new 31 Firestone route that will serve North Memphis and Midtown. Come out and speak in favor of the 31 Firestone, which brings MBRU closer to obtaining our goal of reinstating the full 31 Crosstown Route! Board meetings are held at MATA Headquarters, 1370 Levee Rd.

After working on your skills at the GOT POWER training, come party with us at the annual Juneteenth celebration! MBRU will also be co-sponsoring United Campus Workers’ Juneteenth Celebration this Saturday, June 24 from 5-8 PM. Come down to the IBEW Union Hall at 1870 Madison Ave. for food, fellowship, and music with our friends and community partners!

We’re coming together to celebrate the defeat of slavery–the greatest human and economic rights victory in this country’s history!
Food, fellowship and music! Bring a side dish & BYOB.

With special guest speaker Ashley Henderson, co-director of the Highlander Center, and leader in the Movement for Black Lives. 

Want to learn more about Juneteenth? http://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/
Contact UCW organizer Jayanni if your organization or group would be interested in co-sponsorship!jayanni@ucw-cwa.org

Children are welcome and childcare will be provided by Memphis Advocates for Radical Childcare.

Help us in supporting a long time member and volunteer, Tommy Foster. Your generous donation can help relieve Tommy’s overwhelming medical debt!

As those of us who know him can tell you (and who doesn’t know Tommy?) he is a multimedia artist and endlessly creative entrepreneur. He brought Java Cabana to the Cooper-Young neighborhood along with his First Church Of Elvis Impersonators and the Viva Memphis Wedding Chapel where he solemnized over 500 marriages. He’s also the father of Memphis artist and activist Bennett Foster.

Tommy has stage 4 Metastatic (it has spread from where it originated) poorly differentiated (this means it is immature, this is not something we favor) adenocarcinoma (the type of cells in that are cancerous) and has spread to the bone.

Recently, Tommy’s cancer spread to his liver.

Though he has undergone chemo, raditation and an experimental treatment, including Keytruda fusions at the West Clinic, they have had no effect. He finished a 3rd round of radiation on his pelvis in May. He is no longer able to walk without a walker, or drive a car, let alone earn an income. Medical bills from treatments and high prescription costs are piling up, and Medicare doesnt come close to covering these expenses.

Tommy wants to thank you all for the love you’ve shown him throughout this battle. He will keep fighting with your continued support.

To make a donation to help the Foster family please click the link below:
https://www.gofundme.com/tommy-fosters-medical-fund

Help us welcome Faith Pollan, the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center‘s newest team addition!

Faith Pollan was born in Lakeland, FL and grew up in Memphis. She graduated from Christian Brothers University in 2012 with a Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. Faith became involved with the Green Party of Shelby County as well as phone banking efforts for Tami Sawyer during the 2016 election cycle. She has served as the events committee chair for the Memphis Feminist Collective since the winter of 2016. In the fall of 2016, Faith formed the Mid-South Reproductive Rights Coalition in an effort to better unify volunteer efforts for local sexual health organizations. She recently joined the MSPJC team as a community organizing coordinator as part of the Juvenile Justice Project.