Speakers urge Shelby County to sue governor, call National Guard deployment an occupation

At public comment several residents and community leaders urged the Shelby County Board of Commissioners to back a resolution authorizing the county to sue Governor Bill Lee over the National Guard deployment and associated task force work in Memphis. Jeff Lair, speaking for MICA (Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope), told commissioners, "I'm here to ask you today to ask you to support the Commissioner's Sugarman and Brooks resolution to allow the Commission to sue Governor Lee regarding his deployment of the National Guard." He cited analysis that estimates large federal expenditures and questioned the deployment’s impact on local safety.

Venita Doggett described daily visible Guard activity and called the presence "hyper militarized over policing," saying it made her feel afraid and that the county cannot afford the expense she placed "over $300,000,000." Erica Carpenter, a business owner and veteran, said the deployment "has had no measurable impact on actual reducing crime in Memphis and an armed occupation does not equal public safety." Several speakers urged commissioners to sign on to the lawsuit and to redirect funds toward community investment rather than a continued militarized presence.

Commissioners did not take an immediate vote to authorize litigation during the public-comment period; speakers framed their appeals as input for commissioners considering a previously introduced resolution.