MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Some protesters say Interim MPD Director Mike Rallings broke and agreement with them that got them to leave the I-40 bridge Sunday night.
They say Rallings broke his promise about who would be at the meeting and how it would go.
In a letter, Keedran Franklin wrote, “You made a mockery of our agreement. You broke the trust. This says to us that you are not a man of your word. While others sing your praises, we have data that you have proven to be less than praise worthy. We are disappointed.”
They are referring to a meeting Monday night at Greater Imani Church.
Many at the meeting urged Mayor Jim Strickland to immediately hire Rallings, but Strickland said a process had to be followed.
Now it sounds like those protestors may be backing off on that demand.
Below is the full letter:
Dir. Mike Rallings
Memphis Police Department
This letter regards our agreement of July 10, 2016, which was the impetus for the termination of the citizens’ occupation of the I-40 bridge at Memphis. You personally made the agreement with this group of citizens.
You failed to honor the agreement. While we made the concession of not meeting that night at 9:30 p.m. at the FedEx Forum, as agreed, you made the unilateral decision on the venue and the participants. You allowed those who had nothing to do with the agreement or the event that precipitated the agreement to control the meeting. You decided or allowed the decision to be made of who would speak.
While you honored your staff for keeping the peace, you failed to honor the citizens who also kept the peace. You allowed politicians, who have proven to be ineffective and/or unwilling to make positive changes in the city, to be seated in positions above the citizens with whom you agreed to meet, giving the appearance of honoring those who have not demonstrated true concern for the citizens.
Finally, the items you had agreed to discuss with us were not discussed. You made a mockery of our agreement. You broke the trust. This says to us that you are not a man of your word. While others sing your praises, we have data that you have proven to be less than praise worthy. We are disappointed.
Sincerely,
The Concerned Citizens