Immigrants, refugees, allies march against anti-immigrant legislation, for democracy.
NASHVILLE— More than 500 immigrants, refugees, and their allies took to the streets today in protest of recently passed anti-immigrant legislation HB2124/SB2576 and the current climate of fear and discrimination being stoked by the Tennessee General Assembly, organized by the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and TIRRC Votes.
“Tonight’s action was a testament to the resilience of our communities and how we come together to keep each other safe,” said Lisa Sherman Luna, Executive Director at TIRRC and TIRRC Votes. “From Memphis to Mountain City, immigrant families are deeply embedded in Tennessee, and we won’t sit idly by as our legislature turns our laws against us. Immigrants, refugees, and our allies across the state will come together powerfully in our communities, on the steps of the capitol, and the ballot box to protect our families and build a Tennessee where everyone can thrive.”
SB2576/HB2124, according to senate bill’s sponsor Brent Taylor, aims to require local police work with ICE whenever a person is detained, though the broadness of the bill has created confusion among members of the General Assembly as well as legal experts. The bill has been transmitted to Governor Bill Lee’s desk, where he has 10 days to sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature. During tonight’s march, immigrant community members shared their concerns regarding the bill and urged Governor Lee to veto the legislation.
“HB2124/SB2576 attacks families that are our neighbors and have been present in Tennessee for a very long time,” said Rev. Francisco Garcia, an Episcopal priest and son of immigrants from Nashville who believes the law would create real fear and distrust among many families. “I truly believe that this bill is anti-family and contrary to the values that we claim to support as a society.”
The march, which led from Public Square Park to the steps of Legislative Plaza, was supported by cosponsors American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC), Casa de la Cultura, Connexión America, Poder Popular, Tennessee Justice for our Neighbors (JFON), and Workers’ Dignity.
“This legislation turns law enforcement into a weapon aimed at our communities,” said Sabina Mohyuddin of AMAC. “Over the last two decades, Nashville has witnessed numerous instances where similar laws were in place, resulting in the wrongful detention and immigration holds of Muslim community members, particularly young men. This bill will inevitably exacerbate racial profiling, deepen distrust in law enforcement, and fan the flames of Islamophobia. Governor Lee must take a stand and veto this harmful legislation.”
Despite immigrants’ and their advocates’ calls for Governor Lee to veto the legislation, the bill is expected to be signed into law. Recognizing this, community members spoke of the longer term movement to create a more inclusive Tennessee that provides all families the opportunity to thrive and highlighted previous victories in advancing that vision.
“The movement to defend the rights of immigrants in our state has existed for many years,” said Veronica Zaveleta, an immigrant who has lived in Tennessee for the last 23 years. “We have constantly been defending ourselves from attacks on our community, from laws like 287(g) that criminalized our communities to defeating an English Only proposal in Nashville.”
Now, many are turning to the upcoming elections as the next step in the fight.
“Year after year, we continue to see legislators choose hatefulness and xenophobia, and many are running full speed ahead toward facism,” said Alondra Gomez, an immigrant community member from Chattanooga. “But we stand here today because we refuse to remain spectators. We refuse to let them dictate the course of our lives without a challenge. This action is proof that we are not going to let them push forward their vision of their world without a fight.”
