Community chooses prayer over protest – again

Community chooses prayer over protest – again

Concerns over unrest at Tilden Rodgers much ado about nothing

news@theeveningtimes.com

Prayer prevailed again over protests in West Memphis Tuesday evening.

The local social media chatter about a rally at Tilden Rodgers Park at Interstate 40 and College Boulevard had the community on high alert, but nothing ever materialized.

Caution was the watchword for organizations in the city Tuesday evening.

ASU-Mid South canceled night classes and the campus closed at 4 p.m. over potential traffic congestion concerns. Law enforcement officials and Memphis television media took the talk about the rally in the park and the possibility of a human roadblock on the Interstate seriously. The Channel 5 helicopter circled the city during the evening news hour and returned at 6:30 p.m. circling over the city park. Television trucks from three Memphis stations pulled into the park.

Four different law enforcement agencies staged in the area. State troopers massed at a weigh station. Highway Police posted at points around the area. West Memphis patrolled the area with unmarked cars and closed the north gate to the park. Crittenden County Sheriff vehicles lined a side street in the Mid-America Industrial Park and officers waited for the gathering to begin.

At the appointed hour, the “crowd” amounted to just three fisherman casting their lines and six walkers strolled around Gammon Lake in the Park. There were more television personalities in the park than protesters.

However, up the street and to the left, about 150 community members gathered for a decidedly more positive purpose.

Rita's on the Square opened its doors to the community. The private event center in the Meadowbrook shopping center was set up for guests at a community prayer rally.

City Councilmembers Willis Mondy and Melanie Hutchinson had announced the event at the July 7 council meeting and were in attendance.

As flags still flew at halfmast after President Obama's declaration of national mourning over the police ambush in Dallas, and in the wake of recent murders of young men in Earle and West Memphis, a crowd of 150 people memorialized the losses, and gave sincere thanks with high praise to the Lord. The group opened in song, echoing the hymn “How Great is our God” in high harmony.

A reading from 1 Tim 4:916 about Christian unity and community conduct by Pastor Anthony Riley set the stage for the evening of remembering all the tragedies and hopes that galvanized the group. Pastor Dedric Patterson called for change and served as emcee.

“West Memphis is taking a stand tonight,” said Patterson. “West Memphis is taking a stand on the Word of God. That scripture was not so much about us exercising our right to gather or vote, so much as the right of God to lead, guide, and direct us in everyday life.

As leaders in the community, if we don't put God first we are fighting a losing battle.”

Patterson called for participation and unity in all aspects of the community.

“A lot of times people just want to be a part of what they are in charge of, but we need to work together,” said Patterson.

“With God, you have the power to make a difference,” said Patterson.

The group responded in unison chanting, “I have the power to make a difference. We made a difference tonight,” said Patterson.

“Amen.”

By John Rech