Tennessee
JANUARY 2026
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A Black-owned Memphis sandwich shop went viral after the owner publicly refused to serve National Guard troops who showed up outside his business, sparking a tense standoff and widespread reaction online.
Footage shows members of the Guard remaining outside Da Sammich Spot while owner Rob Brown questioned their presence and put up a sign saying law enforcement agents, including ICE, were not allowed without a warrant, leading to debates about rights, intimidation, and community policing.
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Black residents in West Tennessee just won fairer voting districts after forcing a redraw that gives majority‑Black representation — but the victory feels fragile, with the Voting Rights Act under threat at the Supreme Court.
Advocates in Fayette County successfully sued to overturn a map that diluted Black voters’ power and secured three majority‑Black districts for the 2026 elections, marking a significant step toward equitable representation. However, conservatives on the U.S. Supreme Court are poised to weaken or gut Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act — the legal backbone that made this win possible — raising fears that local gains could be undone and similar fights nationwide could be lost.
Event Reported: November 21st, 2025