WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — African-American leaders in Crittenden County, Arkansas said they want the black communities to arm themselves with guns.
Shooting after shooting across the country where African-American people were killed by white police officers was what forced some local leaders to take action.
“We want to talk about fair policing and reaching out to local law enforcement and the disenfranchised black community,” Hubert Bass, CEO of the Crittenden County Justice Commission, said.
Bass and Shabaka Afrika, President of the Crittenden County NAACP, also called on the black community to arm themselves.
“We’re asking that black people around the country arm themselves and join and establish gun clubs,” Bass explained.
The motion was centered around self-defense, protecting the black community, and making sure West Memphis does not become another Ferguson.
“The first thing that went through my mind was I’m not surprised, but I’m glad they have it on tape,” Bass said.
According to Bass, it is important for African-American people to record every interaction with police and plans to organize training classes to teach people how.
Leaders said the call is a prevention tactic so they will never have to react.
WREG reached out to West Memphis police for comment, but no one has returned our phone calls.
Organizers said they planned to release additional information about their plan Thursday afternoon.
