MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Community activists who marched across the bridge last month are getting together again.
This time, they’re holding a back to school event and have asked officers to help out.
“I am pretty excited. I’m pretty excited,” said Devante Hill with One Memphis One Vision.
Hill hit several store Friday and stocked up on school supplies and backpacks.
“As a community we’ve got to come together whether you’re black, white, green, blue, Spanish, Latino. We’ve got to come together and be that resource for our kids,” he said.
Hill and other community activists planned a back to school event for Saturday at Robert Church Park next to the FedEx Forum.
They will give away hundreds of backpacks and school supplies and asked police to hand them out.
“The idea is to cultivate and foster the relationship between our children and law enforcement,” said Hill. “If we do that today then we’ve already changed tomorrow.”
Hill helped organize the march that shut down the I-40 bridge last month.
He said Saturday’s event shows their dedication for change.
In addition to the giveaway, there will be a unity prayer.
Gospel rappers and I Heart Memphis will perform too.
Hill said most importantly, there will be a booth set up to get people to register to vote in November’s election
“The idea is to fight policy and to empower the people at the same time,” he said. “That’s the only way that we can have one Memphis and one vision.”
If you’d like to donate back packs or school supplies, email Hill at Devante@devantehill.com, or you can bring donations to the event.