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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 14h

Unhoused people are feeling the pressure of Memphis’ law enforcement crackdown. But the nonprofits trying to get them sheltered have yet to receive any support or funding from the city.
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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 1d

The Shelby County jail is holding hundreds more people than it was built for. Experts say bail reform could be a solution. Here’s how Memphis got here and what could change next:
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How bail works in Memphis — and why reform could ease jail overcrowding

Dozens of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies have begun their work patrolling Shelby County as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, which was mandated by President Donald Trump with …

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 3d

Black Farmers to seek rehearing after appeals court rules against them in discrimination aid suit

Black Farmers to seek rehearing after appeals court rules against them in discrimination aid suit • Tennessee Lookout

The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association plans to seek a rehearing after a U.S. Court of Appeals panel upheld a ruling barring families from filing “legacy claims” on behalf of deceased…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 3d

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism obtained a report on one day’s worth of activities of the ‘Memphis Safe Task Force.’ It contradicts claims made by the governor about how the task force is focused on violent criminals. mlk50.co/4qkfz6b

Bill Lee said people arrested by task force are “violent criminals and known gang members.” Data show that’s not true.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee speaks during a Tuesday morning press conference with Memphis Mayor Paul Young at the temporary command center for the Memphis Safe Task Force. Photo by Andrea Morales / MLK…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 3d

Downtown authorities are putting increased pressure on unhoused Memphians to get off the streets as federal task force members arrive. But the city hasn’t provided anywhere for them to go. mlk50.co/3W7J7pM

Memphis tightens scrutiny on the unhoused as task force arrives, but offers no funding to help them find shelter

A person and their belongings rest on a bench in Civic Center Plaza. Photo by Andrea Morales/MLK50 Rick was charging his phone at an outdoor power outlet near the Renasant Convention Center downtow…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 4d

Memphis task force using TN “buffer law,” preventing up-close recording of police activity

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Memphis task force using TN “buffer law,” preventing up-close recording of police activity • Tennessee Lookout

Hunter Demster pulled out his phone at a gas station in Memphis to record over half a dozen men in bulletproof vests gathered around the flashing blue lights of a Tennessee Highway Patrol car. Then…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 5d

The Collective Good Immigrant Pantry delivers food and essentials to immigrant families who have lost income and fear leaving home.

Grassroots Memphis food pantry reports spike in need as federal agents flood city

The Collective Good Immigrant Pantry, a project of Indivisible Memphis, has seen a spike in requests for food since a federal law enforcement task force arrived in the city. Photo byJohn Partipilo/…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 5d

“I Don’t Want to Be Here Anymore”: They Tried to Self-Deport, Then Got Stranded in Trump’s America

Venezuelan immigrants signed up for a Trump-promoted app called CBP Home, which promised a safe and easy way to leave the country, and prepared to leave on their given departure dates. Those dates…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 8d

What should you do if you're approached by law enforcement? If you're asked about your immigration status? If you witness police or military activity? Here's our guide:

Know your rights with law enforcement, military troops

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump created a task force of several federal and state agencies charged with “end(ing) street and violent crime in Memphis.” It will include the mobilization of th…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 8d

A timely read as the National Guard begins its patrols of Memphis today.

What it feels like when federal forces come to town

Scenes from Washington D.C. since the National Guard deployment. Photos by Sara Duran for MLK50 The National Guard and 13 federal agencies have arrived in Memphis, as part of President Donald Trump…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 9d

New STEM center at Whitehaven High blends science, art and inspiration

New STEM center at Whitehaven High blends science, art and inspiration - TSDMemphis.com

For years, leaders in the Whitehaven community dreamed of giving local students a state-of-the-art science and technology facility. On Wednesday, that vision became reality as Memphis-Shelby County…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 9d

The Fair Housing Council of Metropolitan Memphis finds Black renters are consistently treated differently than white renters. “Tests that were performed in neighborhoods with housing (in) good physical condition… were more likely to show evidence of differential treatment." mlk50.co/46KvFyf

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 10d

A contractor would use sites like Facebook, Instagram and X—and possibly online commercial, law enforcement and federal government databases—to generate leads about “individuals who pose a danger to national security, risk public safety or otherwise meet ICE enforcement priorities.”

ICE Plans to Boost Social Media Surveillance Using Contractors

ICE plans to use a hub in Vermont to bolster its digital surveillance capabilities as the agency ramps up operations across the country.

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Reposted by MLK50: Justice Through Journalism

Tennessee Lookout @tennesseelookout.com · 11d

Planned Parenthood has temporarily closed one of two Memphis clinics as a result of a federal appeals court decision that allowed the Trump administration to block patients from using Medicaid as their insurance at the reproductive health provider.

Planned Parenthood closes a Memphis clinic after Trump administration stops Medicaid payments • Tennessee Lookout

Planned Parenthood has temporarily closed one of two Memphis clinics as a result of a federal appeals court decision.

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 10d

Justin J. Pearson, known for his environmental activism and his expulsion from the Tennessee Statehouse over gun control advocacy, is now seeking to challenge a longstanding U.S. congressman mlk50.co/473XBvR

State Rep. Justin J. Pearson to challenge U.S. Congressman Steve Cohen

State Rep. Justin J. Pearson, seen here in a 2023 constituent meeting at the Tennessee State Capitol, announced his intention to run for U.S. Congress. Photo by Andrea Morales / MLK50 State Rep. Ju…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 11d

During Sickle Cell Month, Memphis doctors and advocates cite strides and challenges in care.
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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 12d

A cell a little larger than a king-sized mattress. A concrete shelf as a bed. A thin mat, and an itchy blanket. No pillow. In the corner, a metal toilet and sink. Two narrow windows. This is solitary confinement in Shelby County’s juvenile detention center: mlk50.co/4gThDxJ

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 12d

Supreme Court term will tackle executive power, executive power and executive power

The term promises to be hugely consequential and focused in large part on how much power the Constitution gives to the president.

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 12d

“Many mechanisms of know-your-rights information are limited to systems that respect rights and obey laws, and we’re in a very different place right now. There are other ways that we need to be readying our communities to be prepared for this moment," says one organizer.

What it feels like when federal forces come to town

Scenes from Washington D.C. since the National Guard deployment. Photos by Sara Duran for MLK50 The National Guard and 13 federal agencies have arrived in Memphis, as part of President Donald Trump…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 13d

ICE is arresting more undocumented immigrants in the Memphis area. Some worry it’s only the beginning. mlk50.co/3ITjMwE

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 14d

The most severe consequence of solitary confinement is suicide. One parent says his son became suicidal last winter after being isolated in Shelby County’s juvenile detention center. In 2024, the Sheriff recorded 14 suicide attempts, after reporting none the year before.
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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 14d

At MLK50, truth isn’t just our mission — it’s our responsibility to Memphis. Every investigation we publish is a stand against injustice, a step toward the beloved community Dr. King dreamed of. Subscribe to MLK50’s newsletter and get Memphis-rooted news.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Visit the post for more.

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 15d

A community organizer from Washington D.C. – where military forces have been since August – shares their experience living where “it feels like a quiet, surprise occupation.”

What it feels like when federal forces come to town

Scenes from Washington D.C. since the National Guard deployment. Photos by Sara Duran for MLK50 The National Guard and 13 federal agencies have arrived in Memphis, as part of President Donald Trump…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 15d

President Trump promised his mass deportation campaign would target the "worst of the worst" people & make Americans safer, but nearly half the arrests recorded in the Memphis area since January have been of people who've not committed any crime, according to data analyzed by MLK50 mlk50.co/3ITjMwE

Surge in ICE arrests around Memphis fueled by people who haven’t committed any crimes

A procession of people praying for peace in Memphis makes its way around Gaisman Park while police control traffic on April 19. The group mostly consisted of Spanish-speaking churches from Memphis’…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 15d

Meet MLK50's first creator-in-residence. Local policy organizer Amber Sherman will serve as an educator and will develop short-form civic education pieces that help illuminate policy and government accountability mlk50.co/3IVQhKD

Creator In Residence

2025: Amber Sherman Amber Sherman. Photo by Kevin Wurm/MLK50/CatchLight Local/Report for America Inspired by a similar program launched by the national news outlet Mother Jones, MLK50: Justice Thro…

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