'They thought the bridge was something. They ain't seen nothing yet,' | Activist reflects on the day protesters took over I-40 bridge It's been 5 years since thousands of protesters flooded the streets of downtown Memphis and made history. Author: Brittni Clemons Updated: 7:26 PM CDT July 12, 2021 MEMPHIS, Tenn. — July 10 marked the five-year anniversary when thousands of protesters flooded the streets of downtown Memphis and made history. Some Memphians are still waiting for the change they demanded in 2016. Frank Gottie reflects on the day he led thousands of protesters to the I-40 bridge which shut down traffic for nearly four hours. "It was beautiful how all gangs got together and held arms and stood on the front line together. It was beautiful it felt like heaven for real," he said.