‘A sad conversation:’ NAACP, Memphis Urban League and others urges
preparedness, knowing your rights as task force arrests continue

By Michaela Redmond and Joel Moore//Action News 5//Oct. 3, 2025

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – The NAACP Memphis Branch held a press conference, along with several other organizations, on Friday to express concerns over the National Guard and other federal agents being in town.

Additionally, officials shared the message to residents that they need to be prepared and know their rights.

Other organizations at the press conference included: Shelby County Democratic Party, Shelby County Democratic Women, National Women’s Political Caucus, Memphis Urban League, Memphis and West Tennessee AFL-CIO, National Pan-Hellenic Council – Memphis Metro, Shelby County Voter Alliance, SCORE CDC and Up The Vote 901.

“This is a sad conversation to have… that you are trying to stay alive over a traffic stop,” said Sijuwola Crawford with UPTheVote90. So, what I want to say is be cautious, and all of that, but also live by your conscience…

“I refuse to be afraid that way,” he continued. “I’m not going to dodge eye contact with a law enforcement official, I’m not going to not assert myself, and if that gets me on the ground or death, I’m not making anybody a coward because they don’t, but I also think that it’s wrong to ask our community to live in fear.”

Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced on X that 60 arrests were made Thursday night, and 21 illegal firearms were seized. Additionally, Bondi said the arrests included a suspect wanted for the rape of a child under age 13.

Since operations began on Monday, 153 arrests have been made by the task force in total, including five gang members, and with 48 guns seized and five missing children recovered, according to Bondi’s post.

As the number of arrests quickly hit triple digits, the NAACP and other organizations in opposition to the operations say there is nothing they can do to change their presence.

“I can’t say enough to stop, to pause, to think before you react. Because a lot of times, we react quickly without thinking, and that can cause some negative effects,” said Gale Carson, the President & CEO of Memphis Urban League.

Carson says residents need to know their rights, but they also need to act cool, calm and collected when interacting with law enforcement or the National Guard.

Carson said that every resident needs to check their driver’s license, tags, and insurance to make sure it’s not expired. In another major point, Carson said everyone needs to check for outstanding warrants and take care of those as soon as possible, along with any fines, tickets, or child support.

“It’s better to comply in this instance than try to resist, as Miss Gale Carson Jones said, and wind up with something worse happening to you. If you are able, please pull out your phone and start recording. If you observe anything going on, pull out your phone and start recording,” said Ian Randolph with Shelby County Voter Alliance.

The NAACP of Memphis said they are creating a webinar called ‘Defending Democracy Together: A Safer Memphis for All’ with the first webinar taking place next Wednesday.

It will feature Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief CJ Davis, who can talk with residents and answer questions.

The NAACP and Memphis Urban League have additional information for residents on their websites.