Marchers have blocked traffic on the Interstate 40 Bridge over the Mississippi River.
Parts of the crowd have dispersed and made their way back across I-40.
Marchers began walking downtown toward the Interstate-40 Bridge from Danny Thomas Boulevard from FedExForum Plaza.
This is not an official ‘Black Lives Matter’ Memphis chapter event, but a few representatives were in attendance.
Interim MPD Director Mike Rallings came to the plaza at the start of the rally. He said the police department has supported peaceful protests in the past and will continue to do so.
Those who attended were asked to wear black, bring signs, and be peaceful.
Friday, Interim MPD Director Mike Rallings said he respected these gatherings as long as they remained peaceful.
Two gatherings in Memphis Friday evening went on without incident or arrests.
At FedExForum Plaza, a flag is at half-staff to honor the fallen Dallas law enforcement members.
8:58pm: Here’s a statement from Memphis Branch NAACP president Keith Norman:
“The NAACP stands with and fully supports the rights of The Black Lives Matter Movement and all citizens to gather in peaceful protest. The peaceful gathering demonstrates our awareness and disdain with the poor economic policies of our city and its priorities as well as the national sentiment towards injustices that permeate the disproportional contact between law enforcement and people of color.”
9:20pm: Statement from Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland:
“As a majority black city, I recognize that Memphis is part of a larger national conversation about race in America, and how some of our citizens feel disenfranchised. To that end, I am hopeful that our city will remain part of the conversation in a way that is respectful and recognizes our humanity.
As Memphis mayor, I respect the Constitution and the right to assemble peacefully in protest. Tonight, the protests have been peaceful thanks to the great work of the Memphis Police Department, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and all of our partners.
There will be an initial conversation tonight and we will have follow-up conversations in the coming days. We are here to fully support those conversations — and my door has always been open. But we want to do it in a legal way, as well. Let me be clear: you can exercise your First Amendment rights without breaking the law.”
