"I stand with Standing Rock" prayer march on Beale Street

A prayer march was organized by Zanya Mudbone Cruz to commemorate Indigenous rights, religion, and heritage in downtown Memphis on Friday.

The march started at 7 p.m. in front of the Beale Street Landing with speakers from the Indigenous and Latino community discussing the city's unlawful denial of the events permit request. It ended in front of City Hall with the Indigenous communities prayers and dances.

The event's significance highlights the need to stand with the people of Standing Rock in protecting their land, water, religious sites, and community from the North Dakota Access Pipeline which is being built on appropriated treaty lands.

Core organizers focused on sharing religious indigenous ceremonies, dances, and customs with non-Indigenous participants on a day that coordinates with the national Stand with Standing Rock event in Washington, DC.