Tupelo Citizens Seeking Transparency Regarding Excessive Police Brutality and Misconduct
Minority Youth Matters protesters at the Chicagoland Speedway protesting systematic discrimination in America
Tupelo, MS — The Minority Youth Matters Movement, a civil rights organization initially founded to bring awareness to, and abolish, the historically pervasive systematic discrimination of NASCAR and their sponsors towards African Americans, has expanded their purpose, in recent weeks, to empower communities seeking fairness, tolerance and justice with regards to excessive police brutality, unjust incarceration, bigotry, racism, discrimination and gun violence.
After what was classified a routine traffic stop by a Tupelo, Mississippi police officer and K9 unit, within five minutes of the traffic stop, an unarmed African American male was shot dead four times, and nearly an hour after the shooting an
ambulance arrived on the scene.
With family members and community leaders outraged at the lack of details provided regarding the deadly incident, city officials would only clarify that the traffic stop and use of deadly force were justified.
“Given the circumstances for organizing the march on the steps of Tupelo City Hall, I knew I had to get a Civil Rights organization that is steadfast in their resolve to get things accomplished, who were very organized, and who were not afraid to take on the fight for justice,” said Ellis Westbrook, Officer In Charge of Tupelo, Mississippi, for Minority Youth Matters Movement.
“When I first contacted Mr. [Terrance] Cox, I was concerned he, and the Minority Youth Matters Movement, would not be available to assist our planned July 30th march, because I was aware of their scheduled September 18th Civil Rights protest against NASCAR in Chicago,” continued Westbrook.
“I knew it might be a long shot to secure their services, but when I explained the severity, and the necessity, for our march and the impact the Minority Youth Matters Movement would have on this community to advance fairness and justice, Mr. Cox immediately came on board,” noted Westbrook.
The scheduled Minority Youth Matters Movement’s Civil Rights protest in Chicago will be held at Chicagoland Speedway, which is owned by the parent company of NASCAR, the International Speedway Corporation, during the Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400 on September 18th.
The Chicago protest is a continuation of a year long embroiled dispute between Terrance Alton Cox III, founder of the Minority Youth Matters Movement, and the racing sanctioning body NASCAR and several of their top tier sponsors with regards to systematic discrimination such as Coca-Cola, M&M Mars, Viacom/Nickelodeon, Sprint, Comcast/NBC, Camping World, FORD, General Motors and Toyota.
“When I first received the call from Mr. [Ellis] Westbrook informing me of the terrible circumstance that had transpired in Tupelo, obviously I was disheartened to hear of the tragic news, but clearly pleased he recognized the Minority Youth Matters Movement as an influencing Civil Rights organization effectively capable of assisting positive outcomes within the community of Tupelo,” said Cox.
“Mr. Westbrook told me that he wanted to use this unfortunate tragedy, that has personally affected him, to act as a catalyst to strengthen the community of Tupelo.” continued Cox. “Being a Southerner myself, it is evident that systematic discrimination anywhere, permeates systematic discrimination everywhere – and I feel a responsibility to come and strengthen this community, and other communities around the Nation, from a state who undoubtedly will bring divisiveness next April when Mississippi celebrates Confederate History Month,” exclaimed Cox.
“Unfortunately, the narrative remains the same, and Tupelo’s civic injustices are no different than many communities across this nation,” Westbrook said. “However, me and my family have chosen to take this tragedy and turn it into a positive for this community,” continued Westbrook. “And I am personally excited to be a part of this historic Civil Rights March on the steps of Tupelo City Hall, and we are grateful for the Minority Youth Matters Movement and Mr. Cox to come and lead our cause.”
For more details, follow them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MinorityYouthMattersMovement or Twitter at @MYMM2016/ @MYMMNASCAR (Use hashtag #MYMM)
PRESS CONTACTS:
Ellis Westbrook
Officer In Charge/Tupelo
Minority Youth Matters Movement
662-322-0963
ellislinda005@aol.com
Terrance Alton Cox III
Founder/Organizer
Minority Youth Matters Movement
704-449-4479
mymm2016@gmail.com