Local nonprofit Free The 901 issued a call Monday for Memphis businesses to refuse service to National Guard and the Memphis Safe Task force in what they are calling a "buycott," following the apprehension of over 100 people by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Restaurant and other business owners gathered in front of Tamboli’s Pasta and Pizza Aug. 31 — where a July decision to turn away National Guard members was met with both support and anger — to announce the "buycott." Nonprofit representatives say about 50 local business owners so far have agreed to refuse service.
Another interest meeting organized by Free The 901 for business owners looking to join the "buycott" is Sept. 9.
Daniel Wallace of Society Memphis Skatepark said their
business was "devastated" by the Task Force's arrival.
"If we're trying to make a safer city, we should be focusing on people trying to build and do something positive," he said during the press conference. "I am so honored to be with this group of people ... all trying to build successful businesses, do things for their community ... for Memphis, because they love Memphis. We have so many problems that we need to overcome and this is just taking so much from that."
Michael Jasud, general manager of cocktail bar Cameo, encouraged other businesses to support the boycott. He said people want to support businesses that share their values, and this initiative will help and not hurt their business.
"Our experience has been that being political outspoken with our progressive values in support of our community, our neighbors, the people that are being terrorized and incarcerated by the Memphis Safe Task Force, it's been great for us," Jasud said during the press conference.
"I want to make sure that this doesn’t come across as an idea that being progressive is simply good for your business, it’s also good for the community. When people see that they are more to you than just somebody who can come spend money on your business, they're going to want to keep supporting you."
The "BUYcott" comes just after ICE arrested over 120 people the agency claims were in the U.S. illegally on Aug. 30, around 1 a.m. Two warrants were related to illegal gambling and drugs, and it is unclear how many, if any, were arrested on those charges.
Free the 901 and Vecindarios901, an immigrant advocacy organization, issued a statement condemning the raid as well as the Memphis Police Department for assisting the group. MPD helped control traffic of buses carrying the detainees.
Tamboli's rejection draws criticism, praise
In July, Tamboli's was forced to turn off its phone and online reservation systems after a flood of calls decrying owner Miles Tamboli for his decision to turn away four National Guard members, the first business to do so that received city wide recognition. The pizza restaurant saw a major boost in business soon after.
The owner then explained his decision in a previous statement.
"I want Memphis to be safe. Every business owner does," Tamboli said. "And the honest truth is that Memphis was already getting safer before this Task Force ever arrived. Crime was at a 25-year low through the first eight months of 2025, according to the Memphis Police Department’s own data, later confirmed by an independent Tennessee Bureau of Investigation audit. That progress was earned by the people of this city. It was not delivered by soldiers."
Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal covering Dining, Retail and Real Estate in the Memphis area. You can reach him at jacob.wilt@commercialappeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: 50 Memphis businesses, nonprofit to refuse serving Memphis task force
