Protest promised during Elvis Week - VIDEO)

A local citizens group is promising a demonstration during the annual candlelight vigil at Graceland during Elvis Week. The grassroots group Coalition of Concerned Citizens promised the demonstration would happen during the vigil Monday, August 15.

Monday evening, Kevin Kern of Graceland released a statement in response: "As Memphis prepares for the arrival of visitors to celebrate the life and legacy of Elvis Presley, Graceland is actively working with local law enforcement agencies, as it does every year, to ensure the public's safety and security. We look forward to welcoming the world to our city and showcasing the hospitality that Memphis is known for around the globe."

In July, more than 100 people marched down Elvis Presley Boulevard in front of Graceland, leading to six arrests for obstructing a highway.

Similar to that protest, organizers say the planned gathering during Elvis Week will highlight economic and education disparities in Whitehaven and other areas of Memphis.

"We plan to go and demonstrate peacefully, nonviolently, but certainly with the intention of drawing attention that there is severe poverty and ignorance in this city based on a poor education system, and that helps breed crime and a host of other issues,” says Al Lewis of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens.

The protesters arrested in July are all due in court the day after the planned protest, on August 16th.


Click HERE for the video

Source: Local Memphis

BIM:

While the coalition will get a lot of media attention doing this, I think it won't solve the problems many Memphians are rightfully angered by. If I were a Memphian, it would offend me that the poverty, the crime, the education problems etc all continue to grow worse for the citizens. Yet Memphis pours money into the Graceland project. Building this mecca in the middle of Whitehaven seems like a slap in the face to the citizens of the community.

As a fan, I feel like you can't build this huge mecca in the middle of a city that is hurting and not expect trouble, anger and resentment. It's like a mirage in the desert. It's not real. While it may bring tourists and lots of money, it doesn't help with the crime. It doesn't help the citizens of Memphis.

As a fan, I refuse to spend my hard earned dollars going to a city where I have to worry about taking a wrong turn, being in the wrong place at the wrong time etc. I won't spend my vacation somewhere that I do not feel safe.

I do think the coalition will get lots of media exposure but their cause will fall on deaf ears as many tourists are European and will have no clue what it's about. This also will not deter fans from attending the vigil or Elvis Week. But if it does scare off tourists, that will be a shame as the Elvis fans spend MILLIONS during Elvis Week, not just at Graceland but local businesses all over the city. So for that, I think this could also be harmful for tourism.

I think the hotel is gorgeous and I think Elvis would be very proud.. But I also think his heart would be broken to see Memphis today. Myself, I'd be very happy to see this hotel be hugely successful but I'd also like to see the city of Memphis flourish along with it. The citizens of Memphis deserve to live in a safe city with good jobs and a great education for their children.

As well as, we fans and tourists deserve to come to town and feel safe. A big beautiful building doesn't fix any of that.

Social Media shows these protests are planned for August 15th during the vigil. Be Alert.

Although, I am sure there will be a strong presence of police. How sad this is, on a night that is NOT about Impersonators or anything other than remembering the man, Elvis Presley, this unrest will be happening. Very sad. Let's hope Memphis finds peace very soon.