Memphis police reform activist arrested for disorderly conduct
by: Megan Fayard
Updated: Apr 10, 2025 / 12:50 PM CDT
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A city of Memphis police reform task force member was arrested on Wednesday for disorderly conduct, according to Shelby County jail records.
Amber Sherman, a vocal and passionate community activist who is widely known in the Memphis area, was also charged with obstructing a highway or passageway. Details surrounding her arrest are limited, but we are working to gather more information.
Sherman is a member of a new city police reform task force established in response to a December 2024 report from the Department of Justice citing excessive force, discrimination, and violations of the U.S. Constitution by the Memphis Police Department
According to an affidavit, police were conducting a warrant in the 1000 block of Mount Vernon Road when Sherman walked toward the house and began continuously yelling from nearby, saying “Do not open the door for them.”
Police say the wanted person inside the home answered the door but refused to open it. While talking with the woman through the door, they were also telling Sherman to get out of the middle of the street and stay off the property.
Sherman complied with the officers but continued telling the woman not to open the door.
Reports say Sherman then walked away and back into the street. Officers were able to get the wanted woman to open the door for them, but while they were arresting her, Sherman returned to the house and walked up to the officers while yelling.
Sherman was then taken into custody for “interfering with their investigation.” The woman wanted on felony warrants allegedly told police that she did not know who Sherman was, nor had she ever seen her before.
Sherman posted a video on her Facebook account on Wednesday of police officers outside a home, claiming they were threatening to arrest her for “speaking.”Activists rally for police reform in Memphis
She questioned Memphis Mayor Paul Young and called out MPD Chief CJ Davis in the post.
“Paul Young, is this the type of leadership CJ Davis provides? Threatening citizens for being outside because they don’t like what we’re saying? Isn’t that my First Amendment right?” said Sherman.
The activist also stated that MPD told her she would be arrested for “making a scene,” and questioned what law she could have been breaking.Activist reacts to mayor’s reappointment of Chief Davis
WREG spoke with Sherman in January 2024 after CJ Davis was reappointed by Mayor Young as Chief of Police at the MPD. She expressed her disapproval of the mayor’s decision, saying “At what point are we going to hold her accountable?”
She has also been known as a local voice for police reform in the fight for justice following the death of Tyre Nichols in 2023, drawing attention to the issues she says plague the city and police department.