MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - As more and more Memphis police officers find their names on the court docket at the Criminal Justice Center, more people are speaking out against police.
"They have thrown the trust of the citizens of Memphis out the window," stated Minister Kennith Van Buren, Executive Director of Direct Action Memphis. "Citizens of Memphis don't know who to trust when the police officers are approaching them."
Van Buren used his whistle to get attention before he approached passers-by for donations at the corner of Knight Arnold and Perkins. The rally and fundraiser was to protest the death of 15-year-old Justin Thompson, who was killed by off-duty Memphis police officer Terrance Shaw on September 24.
"We have been hearing stories about this officer riding through the community being a predator for several months now. Justin just happened to be the one he caught and killed," Van Buren said.
The minister wants to blow the whistle on the MPD because he believes, "There's a lot of corruption, cover-up, there's a lot of evidence tampering with the Memphis Police Department."
The person he says should be held accountable for the state of the MPD is Mayor A C Wharton.
"Mayor Wharton needs to take his hands off of the police department and allow Director Armstrong to be the director," he said. "Only way you can tell if Wharton is lying is if his mouth is moving."
Van Buren wants Wharton moved out of city hall so he's circulating a petition to get the mayor recalled.
Mayor Wharton didn't return our calls for a response.
As for the Memphis Police Department's reaction to yet another group protesting the department, a spokesperson simply stated in an email that "any group has a right to protest."
