​The Memphis-Midsouth Democratic Socialists of America stands in opposition to the military occupation of our city. We reject the false claims by the Trump regime and Tennessee officials that deploying troops will do anything to “stop crime” in Memphis.

     Genuine public safety requires an economy and city for all people. Memphians deserve institutions we control, the wealth we produce, housing, universal healthcare, mutual aid, and youth services - and we don’t get that from a police state. This government has no real interest in our public safety. Despite reporting that crime is at a historic low in the city, Trump wants to escalate violence and protect the wealth of the billionaires like Elon Musk, who poison and exploit our city for their own gain.

     This latest move is yet another attempt by a racist regime to punish a majority Black working-class city. It is an escalation of their targeting of immigrants, unhoused people, queer people, workers standing up for their rights, and many fighting for their community. It is a continuation of their assault on free speech in criminalizing opponents to the genocide in Palestine. Sending federalized troops into Memphis under these pretenses is lawless, unjustifiable, violates our freedoms, and is fundamentally at odds with the US Constitution.

     Across this country, we have witnessed ICE (already with support from the Marines and National Guard) terrorize neighborhoods, abduct innocent people, and funnel them into private detention centers. Now, the same plan is being brought into West Tennessee, draining even more of our public dollars into private corporations like the corrupt Core Civic.

     The Trump regime would tyrannize our city - we demand freedom for Memphis and its people.

     The city we love is facing an armed, illegal occupation. We call upon local officials and candidates for office to take concrete actions for our protection. We must act together: We call upon Memphis to organize in unions, in communities, and at the ballot box for political change. We can protect our neighbors. We are here with organizations that have been doing this work to be on the side of the people, and we will be here with the people of Memphis through whatever comes.

In Solidarity,

Memphis-Midsouth Democratic Socialists of America