Key facts
- The NAACP has demanded the suspension of Donald Trump's Memphis Safe Task Force.
- The demand follows the deaths of two Black men, Tyrin Johnson and Darius Chappell, in Tennessee.
- The NAACP is calling for a federal investigation into the task force and the circumstances of the deaths.
- The task force, an anti-crime alliance, has been linked to at least four deaths this year.
- A survey found a majority of Memphis residents disapprove of the National Guard's presence.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has demanded the suspension of the Memphis Safe Task Force, an anti-crime initiative established by Donald Trump, following the recent deaths of two Black men in Tennessee. The organization cited the deaths of Tyrin Johnson, who was shot by National Guard troops, and Darius Chappell, who died in custody after a use-of-force incident, as reasons for their demand.
In a letter addressed to acting attorney general Todd Blanche, the NAACP also called for a comprehensive and transparent federal investigation into the task force's operations. The group expressed concerns that the task force, which has deployed federal and military officers to Memphis, may lack adequate training for civilian policing. The NAACP highlighted that the task force has been associated with at least four deaths this year.
Authorities have provided limited details regarding both incidents. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation stated that Tyrin Johnson was found with a handgun and had fired shots. The Clarksville Police Department is investigating the use of a K9 during Darius Chappell's arrest and has placed an officer on administrative leave. The NAACP emphasized the need for transparency in Chappell's case, noting that no officers have been charged and the official cause of death is pending.
Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, stated that the Department of Justice has a responsibility to investigate such incidents and ensure accountability, particularly when Black lives are involved. A survey conducted by the NAACP indicated that a significant majority of Memphis residents disapprove of the National Guard's deployment and believe it has negatively impacted community safety and trust.