A street vendor in Memphis, Tennessee, known for selling water and Gatorade at an intersection, was gifted a car by a local pastor and community members after he was arrested for blocking the street while trying to make a living.
The vendor, identified as 33-year-old Demarcus Dickerson, had been selling his drinks at the intersection for nearly six years with no trouble, until his arrest on Oct. 6, which he said has “traumatized” him for the rest of his life.
After learning about the community response to his arrest, however, Dickerson told News Channel 3 that he was amazed by the support.
“It’s amazing because I know people support me. They care about me. They go hard, like they ain’t playing about Marcus,” Dickerson, who was featured by ABC24 Memphis for his work four years ago, told the news outlet. “I’m glad the community is coming together to help me.”
In an affidavit of complaint against Dickerson, Memphis Police Department Officers said they charged him with obstructing a highway/passageway after an initial warning. They state in the complaint that they received a call about a suspicious person at the intersection of East Parkway and Poplar Avenue at about 9:34 a.m. on Oct. 6. They reported that they observed him obstructing the highway and advised him that he was in danger of getting hit by vehicles while selling his drinks. He was advised to move to the sidewalk and not “block traffic again.”
The officers said they advised Dickerson not to return to the area, and he was released. At about 1 p.m. that day, however, Dickerson was at the intersection selling his drinks again, and officers responded by arresting him. He asked officers to leave his cooler and wagon at a nearby fire station, Action News 5 reported.
His arrest did not resonate with the Memphis community, and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office later declined to prosecute the charge.
Gregory D. Stapleton Jr., senior pastor of Greater Impact Faith Church and founder and CEO of Crazy Faith Community Development Corporation, signed the appeal on a GoFundMe campaign organized under the name “The People for DeMarcus Dickerson,” which has raised more than $3,500 of a $6,000 goal.
Stapleton later announced through Facebook and local media that he and other community members came together to get Dickerson a car and business support. The car was gifted Tuesday, WREG reported. Crazy Faith is helping him set up a limited liability company, and Ben Owen of We Fight Monsters said his group is paying Dickerson’s license reinstatement fees and will connect him with financial literacy and entrepreneurship coaching.
“Today, we are proud to announce that through the efforts of Bishop G. Stapleton, Crazy Faith Community Development Corporation, Ben Owen We Fight Monsters, and our amazing community supporters, we have successfully helped Mr. DeMarcus Dickerson, affectionately known as the Memphis Water Guy, take a MAJOR step toward rebuilding his future!” Stapleton said.
“This is what happens when a community comes together, not just to talk about change, but to MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN! We didn’t just make promises. WE PUT ACTION BEHIND OUR WORDS!” he continued. “Our mission was never simply to help DeMarcus get through one difficult moment. Our mission was to help him establish a foundation for ownership, independence, entrepreneurship, and long-term success.”
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