File #: RS2024-265   
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 2/20/2024 In control: Metropolitan Council
On agenda: Final action: 2/20/2024
Title: A resolution condemning the February 17, 2024, display of nazi symbolisms, chants, and hate speech in downtown Nashville, and reaffirming our support of all Nashvillians and visitors to Nashville, regardless of race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender, orientation, or age.
Sponsors: Jacob Kupin, Sheri Weiner, Courtney Johnston, Zulfat Suara, Emily Benedict, Jordan Huffman, Quin Evans-Segall, Clay Capp, Mike Cortese, Ginny Welsch, Burkley Allen, David Benton, Russ Bradford, Tom Cash, Thom Druffel, Tasha Ellis, Jeff Eslick, Erin Evans, Sandy Ewing, Brenda Gadd, Jennifer Gamble, Jeff Gregg, Tonya Hancock, Deonte Harrell, Olivia Hill, Rollin Horton, Antoinette Lee, Bob Nash, Sean Parker, Delishia Porterfield, Jeff Preptit, John Rutherford, Sandra Sepulveda, Jason Spain, Joy Styles, Brandon Taylor, Kyonzte Toombs, Terry Vo, Jennifer Webb
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A resolution condemning the February 17, 2024, display of nazi symbolisms, chants, and hate speech in downtown Nashville, and reaffirming our support of all Nashvillians and visitors to Nashville, regardless of race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender, orientation, or age.

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WHEREAS, Saturday afternoon, February 17, 2024, a self-avowed neo-nazi extremist group, hiding behind masks, marched the streets of Downtown Nashville waving flags with swastikas while chanting destructive, hostile, anti-immigrant, antisemitic, racist, and white supremacist speech; and

WHEREAS, chants of 'deport every Mexican' are part of a national dehumanizing discourse propagated by white supremacist groups; and

WHEREAS, this past summer antisemitic leaflets were, secretly dropped on the doorsteps of many residences in our city; and

WHEREAS, there has been a significant increase in hate speech and actions in our city and across our country directed at Jews, Muslims, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, our Black and Brown neighbors, and so many more aiming to incite division and fear; and

WHEREAS, hateful actions that aim to harm one group in our community are an attack on us all; and

WHEREAS, the principle of free speech in this country encourages all people of good conscience, and leaders especially, to not be silent in the face of hatred but to use their own freedom of speech to denounce the vile, hateful, hostile, and divisive speech and actions of others; and

WHEREAS, the Council body represents the diversity of Nashvillians, with members of various religions, races, ethnicities, homeland origins, gender identities, orientations, and ages, all reflecting the diverse and welcoming mosaic of our community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council goes on record unequivocally and, in the strongest terms, condemning and repudiating the vile actions a...

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