Joint Statement Regarding Maly’s Entertainment Center Brawl

Official Press Release For Immediate Release Monday, January 8, 2024 News Media Contact: The Little Rock Freedom Fund Ms. Dawn Jeffrey, Founder And Lead Organizer [email protected] (501) 891-8024 Ms. Queen Lakeslia Mosley, Community Organizer And 2024 Democratic Candidate For State House Of Representatives (District 56-Conway) [email protected] Q. Hathaway And Associates, LLC Dr. Quintessa Hathaway, Founder And Chief Executive Officer [email protected] (615) 473-3213 (Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas) – On the evening of Saturday, January 6, 2024, a brawl broke out at the Maly’s Entertainment Center located at 1040 Maly Curve, Conway, Arkansas 72032. Hate speech was hurled by whites at African American youth based on eyewitness footage posted on social media outlets. Numerous videos depict the violent altercation. There were several people injured and one (1) African American young man, a minor; was the victim of a brutal assault by a white male. The conflict is in the backdrop of sociopolitical inequality and racism surfacing in the state. Also, this event signifies a rise in tension in Conway when it comes to policing, and it has reached a tipping point. With a population of 67,617, whites 48,549 (71.8%), African Americans 12,576 (18.6%), Hispanics 3,448 (5.1%), Asians 1,217 (1.8%), one of the most educated cities in the state with 40.3% holding a bachelor’s degree, and arrests increased by ten percent (10%) since 2021 according to the Conway Police Department; one would think that this matter ought not occurred. The root cause of the fight has not been established and no arrests have been made. Ms. Dawn Jeffrey of the Little Rock Freedom Fund, Ms. Queen Lakeslia Mosley, and Dr. Quintessa Hathaway are calling upon Conway Mayor Bart Castleberry, Chief of Police William Tapley, Arkansas State Police Director Mike Hagar, and the United States Department of Justice to launch a full investigation, to properly assess and evaluate physical, forensic, and testimonial evidence pertaining to the incident. Additionally, we are seeking for the local school systems' crisis teams and mental health services to be activated for the students impacted. We are requesting a change in Maly's company policy to no unaccompanied minors, as well as no alcohol served or on the premises. We will be partnering with local organizations to formulate our next steps and gather in-depth information. We encourage local community members to attend an emergency meeting hosted by the Arkansas State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on Monday, January 8, 2024, at the McGee Center (3800 College Avenue, Conway, Arkansas 72034) at 7pm Central to address the public outcry for answers and an action plan.

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