Protesters block zoo visitors from parking on lawn
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Protesters blocked Memphis Zoo visitors from parking on a greensward near the park before reaching a compromise.
The Commercial Appeal reports that police negotiated with protesters outside the zoo on Saturday to allow vehicles to park on about a third of the lawn of Overton Park. No arrests were made.
Memphis Police Maj. Dana Sampietro spoke with protest leaders to reach the compromise. Protester Bill Stegall also encouraged the crowd to accept the compromise and avoid a misdemeanor arrest.
Stegall encouraged the protesters to return next weekend.
Zoo officials expanded zoo parking to cover most of the lawn on high-visitation days after receiving the backing from the Memphis City Council.
