A majority of Chattanooga leaders support ongoing police protests but do not support calls to defund police amid nearly three weeks of unrest in the city following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
According to the latest Power Poll, while 31% of respondents said the protests are making matters worse and 12% said there’s no difference at all, 56% of Chattanooga’s business and community leaders think current protests against policy brutality, which have consumed the streets of Chattanooga nearly every night for 20 days, are helping race relations in the city.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga director of civic engagement and assistant professor of practice David Steele said that activism is an essential means of determining the direction of the city.
“A fundamental question facing all of us is whether or not we find the status quo sustainable, and a related question is whether that status quo is even desirable. If the answer to both questions is in the negative, then it is incumbent upon any who wish to ‘lead’ or ‘serve’ to step up and to constructively engage,” Steele wrote. “Sitting on the sidelines with privileged tactical critiques is not the answer – and, frankly, never was. I truly hope Chattanooga rises to meet this moment.”