Coalition delivers 'People's State of the City' before City Council

Kevin Muhammad, center, talks with other members of the Nation of Islam during a rally Saturday at Miller Park in Chattanooga, Tenn., held to protest the "Not guilty" verdict of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Fla. Hundreds gathered for the rally and marched through Chattanooga to protest and call on the U.S. Department of Justice to prosecute Zimmerman for civil rights violations.
Kevin Muhammad, center, talks with other members of the Nation of Islam during a rally Saturday at Miller Park in Chattanooga, Tenn., held to protest the "Not guilty" verdict of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Fla. Hundreds gathered for the rally and marched through Chattanooga to protest and call on the U.S. Department of Justice to prosecute Zimmerman for civil rights violations.

Kevin Muhammad of the Nation of Islam will deliver "The People's State of the City" at the City Council meeting this evening.

The address will be given on behalf of a coalition that includes Citizens Concerned for Justice, People United for Change and other community partners.

The speech has been described by Muhammad as a rebuttal to Mayor Andy Berke's recent State of the City address.

"We just want to give a picture of a different reality that exists," said Muhammad last week when he asked the council for permission to give the special presentation.

Council Chairman Moses Freeman denied Muhammad's request and audience members hissed in response. However, Freeman did grant a request by Councilman Ken Smith to give Muhammad 20 minutes to address the body.

Earlier today, Freeman told council members he is prepared to immediately adjourn the meeting in case of outbursts, misbehavior or "anything weird" by the audience.

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