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A resolution urging Nashville voters to vote YES on Tennessee Constitutional Amendment 3 in the upcoming November state and federal election.
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WHEREAS, the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution reads, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction”; and
WHEREAS, Article 1, Section 33 of the Tennessee State Constitution reads, “slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, are forever prohibited by this State”; and
WHEREAS, the slavery “exception language” creates a loophole in which individuals convicted of a crime are technically slaves under Tennessee law; and
WHEREAS, freedom from slavery and indentured servitude is a fundamental right of every human being; and
WHEREAS, Amendment 3 on the November 8, 2022 ballot would replace Tennessee’s slavery exception language to state that “Slavery and involuntary servitude are forever prohibited in this state. Nothing in this section shall prohibit an inmate from working when the inmate has been duly convicted of a crime.”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1: The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as supporting the proposed Amendment 3 to the Tennessee Constitution and urging the registered voters of Nashville to vote YES on Amendment 3.
Section 2: That this resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.