MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Coalition of Concerned Citizens says Elvis Presley Blvd is a public U.S. Highway and selectively deciding who can access the roadway, without any legitimate reason, is discriminatory.
The protest and vigil may be over, but the reverb is still echoing.
A notice from the Coalition of Concerned Citizens said it plans to pursue legal action for what it calls willful violation of the laws and of citizens rights by Memphis Police and Graceland Enterprises.
The Coalition said when police followed instructions of Graceland Enterprises and denied citizens, overwhelmingly black citizens, access to the candlelight vigil last week, they violated the Constitution.
No one from the Coalition is talking about the suit, but Spencer Kaaz, a member arrested during the protests last week, described what he saw.
“Also had instances where black people walked up and they are together with white people who were allowed to pass through, which is obvious racial profiling,” said Kazz during an interview last week.
We asked Graceland for a comment, but never got a reply.
We were sent an email from the City of Memphis that said it had no comment.
Two Tennessee lawmakers who want answers from both are also still waiting.
“We got plenty of citizen complaints coming into my office and Representative Hardaway’s office. There is something out there really noxious. There was racial profiling that took place that has to be answered,” said Tennessee Senator Lee Harris of Memphis.
The lawmakers said Graceland needs to explain what happened and Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland can act too.
“He is responsible for checking that operation and making sure that the tax dollars we are putting in that are not being used to discriminate against the citizens of Memphis,” said Tennessee Representative G.A. Hardaway of Memphis.
This is a case where silence may be deafening.
The Coalition so far has only expressed its intent to pursue legal avenues.
As of now, as far as we know, no lawsuit has been filed.
