President Trump just announced that he plans to send the National Guard—and possibly the military—into Memphis, claiming it’s to “fix” the city’s crime.

But here’s the truth: crime in Memphis is already going down, and the people of this city never asked for a military presence in their streets.

In fact, overall crime in Memphis is at a 25-year low. Murder, assault, robbery, and burglary are all down significantly. The improvements are due to years of community work, local policing strategies, and targeted state-level resources—not federal troop deployments.

Memphis leaders, including faith voices like Pastor Keith Norman, have spoken out against this move. Many remember the trauma of past National Guard deployments in Memphis—after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, and again in 1978 during city-wide labor unrest. History makes it clear: militarizing Memphis is not the solution—it’s a threat.

We, the undersigned, demand that:

• President Donald Trump immediately cancel plans to deploy the National Guard or military to Memphis
• Governor Bill Lee refuse any request for military occupation in Tennessee’s cities
• Local safety efforts remain under the control of Memphis city leadership—not federal intervention.

Public safety must be built through community investment and local accountability, not through federal force.

Memphis has made real progress—and the people here deserve support, not surveillance.

Add your name if you believe Memphis should not be occupied by the military. Let our city continue to lead its own path to safety—with dignity, not domination.