Rally leaders say Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland not showing clear leadership

• Pastor Earle Fisher criticizes mayor's leadership
• All arrested released on bond
• Organizers not sure of next step, but won't "just let it go"

Leaders of a weekend rally at the Nathan Bedford Forrest statue in Health Sciences Park had strong words Sunday about the city administration's response.

Earle Fisher, pastor of Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church, said Mayor Jim Strickland is not offering leadership when it's needed most.

"The city administration has, at best, attempted to be moderate and centrist at a time when people are desperately in need of more clear and supportive leadership," said Fisher, who was present throughout the Saturday event that resulted in seven arrests as protesters attempted twice to cover the monument.

Fisher said the mayor and his administration are "with each passing day, leaning closer and closer toward white supremacist apologetics and sympathizers."

"In the mayor's attempt to not necessarily pick a side, he's picked a side," Fisher said.

Strickland issued a statement Sunday in response, saying:

"Peaceful, lawful protest is respected by the City of Memphis and will continue to be. We know well here in Memphis how that has helped usher in meaningful, positive change over the years. But no one is above the law, which the men and women of the Memphis Police Department and I have taken oaths to enforce."

Ursula Madden, Strickland's chief communications officer, added: "People who live here should ask themselves why some activists continually criticize this mayor, when they're on the same side."

Strickland and the City Council support removing Confederate statues, but state law requires approval from the Tennessee Historical Commission. That body has denied a waiver to take them down. Strickland on Sunday urged Memphians to "voice their concerns" to the Historical Commission and to state legislators.

The rally Saturday was similar to events held in other cities seeking the removal of Confederate statues. They followed the violence in Charlottesville, Va., that started over the possible removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee.

At Saturday's Memphis event, chanting protesters surrounded police cars as those arrested were taken away. They were charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing a highway. 

Rally organizer Tami Sawyer identified those arrested as Robert Brown, Joseph Fennell, Mia Jordan,Patrick Ghant, Jarrell Williams, Donald Wharton and Scott Prather. 

Sawyer said Black Lives Matter posted bond, and all those arrested were released by early Sunday morning.

Sawyer said there was no intent to desecrate the Forrest statue, only cover it. Yet, she said, police showed "brute force" and were "punching, pushing people and threatening with pepper spray."

Police on Saturday said they were concerned about the safety of those climbing on the statue and also wanted to maintain decorum since Forrest and his wife are buried beneath the statue.

All was quiet at the statue Sunday, where a police car stood guard to make sure there were no further incidents.

Sawyer said she wasn't sure what the next move would be, but that protesters would not sit idly by.

"We'll be watching for the next actions from City Hall," she said. "Sunday was a day of rest, which we all needed, but we're not going to just let it go."