*TOMORROW* Local, State, and National Organizations Join Together to Reject Militarization with Free The 901 Campaign
*TOMORROW* Local, State, and National Organizations Join Together to Reject Militarization with Free The 901 Campaign
TIRRC Press
media@tnimmigrant.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS ADVISORY
September 26, 2025
For Media Inquiries:
Tikeila Rucker: 901- 337-9523 tikeila@memphisforall.com
Rachael Spriggs: 770-713-9715 rachael@theequityalliance.org
Local, State, and National Organizations Join Together to Reject Militarization with Free The 901 Campaign
New movement ecosystem rallies community, faith, labor, youth, culture, and business leaders to reject militarization and invest in real safety.
Memphis, TN — This Saturday, September 27, community, faith, labor, youth, culture, and business leaders will launch Free the 901, a campaign to prepare, protect, and uplift the people of Memphis in the face of escalating authoritarian attacks — including the proposed deployment of the National Guard to patrol our neighborhoods.
Rooted in the truth that real safety comes from investing in people, not punishment, Free the 901 will hold a press conference on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 1:00 PM, followed by the “No Cooperation with Occupation” march at 1:30 PM. Both events begin at the park across from Juvenile Court (intersection of Neely & Adams).
This campaign was born out of urgency. On September 12, Donald Trump and Governor Bill Lee announced plans to send the National Guard and a multi-agency task force into Memphis, with more concrete plans revealed at today’s press conference with Gov. Lee in Memphis. Free the 901 rejects this authoritarian overreach and will mobilize residents through trainings, orientations, and rapid-response organizing, while advancing policies and narratives that put care over control, people over policing, and safety over surveillance. ”Memphis is the incubator—what’s tested here becomes the blackprint for the rest of the country,” said Tikeila Rucker, one of many visionaries of Free the 901.
Instead of pouring hundreds of millions into militarization, Free the 901 calls on leaders and neighbors to double down on what’s proven to work: investing in people and communities. Safety comes from strong schools, affordable housing, living-wage jobs, and mental health resources—not soldiers on our streets.
Text “Free901” to 25225 to join the campaign. Together, let’s reject occupation and build the Memphis we deserve.
WHO: Free the 901 (Partner Organizations Listed Below)
WHAT: Free the 901 Campaign Launch
WHEN: Saturday, September 27, 2025
WHERE: Park across the street from Juvenile Court (intersection of Neely & Adams)
Partner Organizations
ACLU-TN
American Muslim Advisory Council
Black Voters Matter
Decarcerate Memphis
The Equity Alliance
Indivisible Memphis
Justice & Safety Alliance
Memphis Activism Calendar
Memphis Artists for Change
Memphis for All
Memphis Tenants Union
Memphis Voices for Palestine
MICAH
Official Black Lives Matter
Stand for Children Tennessee
Tennessee for All
TIRRC (Tennessee Immigrants & Refugee Rights Coalition)
Vecindarios 901
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Free The 901 is a grassroots campaign committed to advancing public safety through community investment, not punishment. The campaign advocates for policies that put people first and works to support the programs and partnerships that have proven effective in reducing crime and building a healthier Memphis. Learn more and connect with us at @Free_The901 on Instagram and Free The 901 on Facebook.