‘Get out of Memphis’

Jack Armstrong

Memphis Commercial Appeal USA TODAY NETWORK – TENNESSEE

More than 100 people gathered in downtown Memphis on Oct. 4 for a march to protest the xAI data center in South Memphis and the presence of federal agencies in the city.

The event, called “Get out of Memphis,” was organized by student-led advocacy group Tigers Against Pollution. Several people representing Free the 901, a campaign intended to oppose the deployment of the National Guard and other federal agencies to Memphis, were also present.

“I think it’s a really good turnout”said Cassandra Fawn, who marched in the protest. “The turnouts seem to be building each time we come out against the National Guard.”

The event was intended to protest against a “growing trend of occupation,” in Memphis, including xAI, the National Guard, ICE and “elected officials who have been bought out by wealthy individuals/ corporations,” according to Tigers Against Pollution.

Attendees held signs with messages like “Fight Fascism or Die” and chanted “No National Guard in our backyard” and “Free Free the 901.”

The crowd marched from the I AM A MAN plaza down Pontotoc Ave to S. Main St, and came to a stop outside the Greater Memphis Chamber building on the corner of S. Main St. and Peabody Pl.

Outside the Greater Memphis Chamber, Orion Overstreet, an organizer with Tigers Against Pollution, gave a speech criticizing the Chamber for it’s support of Elon Musk’s xAI data center in South Memphis.

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“We’re here in front of Memphis Chamber of Commerce because the city government has failed us,” Overstreet said. “They have failed our most vulnerable communities, and let me not mince words, they have failed Black and brown communities time and time again. They are funneling federal troops into communities who are already overburdened by pollution, already overburdened with failing infastructure.”

KeShaun Pearson, executive director of Memphis Community Against Pollution, encouraged attendees to “continue to agitate,” organize and march.

“The future that they want for us is oppressive,” he said, referring to the Trump administration and xAI.

As protestors gathered at the I AM A MAN plaza at the beginning of the march, a helicopter labeled “U.S. Customs and Border Protection” repeatedly circled the crowd. It also followed as protestors made their way down S. Main St. and continued circling while protestors gathered outside the Greater Memphis Chamber.

The helicopter is registered to the Department of Homeland Security, according to the Federal Aviation Administration registry.

Trinity Williams, an organizer with Free the 901 and The Equity Alliance, also spoke outside the Chamber as the CBP helicopter circled overhead.

“We’re here making a statement that we don’t want the National Guard,” she said. “We’re here making a statement that we choose opportunity over occupation. We’re here making a statement that we believe that militarization like these helicopters up here today is a violation of our human rights.”

Jackson Sun reporter Jamar Coach contributed to this report.

Jack Armstrong covers breaking news and the environment for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at jack.armstrong@commercialappeal. com and followed on X @jca2902.