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On June 23, 2010, officers of the Metro Nashville Police Department and ATF arrested Lonnie Greenlee and conducted searches of his home and the Galaxy Star Love Center located at 1315 Lischey Avenue. The arrest and searches came without warning and without explanation. Galaxy Star subleases the Love Center from Lonnie Greenlee. 

 

Galaxy Star denies any involvement in any criminal activity whatsoever. A local television station reported this matter yesterday in such a manner that suggested somehow that Galaxy Star was involved in the charges asserted against Lonnie Greenlee. Nothing could be further from the truth. Galaxy Star is a lawful non-profit organization that works with people who have been marginalized by society, including gang members. Galaxy Star treats gang members as people and not as targets. 

 

Lonnie Greenlee co-founded Galaxy Star approximately ten years ago, but has no official role with Galaxy Star at this time, and has not for over two years. Lonnie’s sister, Clemmie Greenlee, is the president of Galaxy Star.

 

Galaxy Star has not been contacted by the police to discuss the arrest and searches that occurred yesterday. 

 

Galaxy Star desperately needs Nashville’s support as it works to turn youth – many of whom are affiliated with or at risk of joining gangs – into peacemakers. Under the leadership of Clemmie Greenlee, Galaxy Star reaches countless young people caught in a cycle of poverty and violence. Clemmie Greenlee earns their trust and sees them return weekly to the Love Center for Back to Basics life skills workshops, Straight Talk -- Let’s End the Violence support group meetings, reading programs, worship services, peace rallies and other events. This year, four girls from Galaxy Star’s Back to Basics program earned their high school diplomas. Two of them have been accepted to college.

 

Galaxy Star reaches youth who may have gang ties but who want to end the violence and become peacemakers in their peer groups. Galaxy Star does outreach to gang members but is not affiliated with gangs.

 

Galaxy Star remains committed to working with the people of Nashville who need its services, support and love. To Galaxy Star, this matter appears to be an overreaction and the stereotyping that arises with knowing and communicating with gang members. To help gang members, Galaxy Star must communicate with them. There is no way to change a person’s life unless you communicate with that person and show them that a difference can be made.