NASHVILLE, TN — Legislation that poses a direct threat to LGBTQIA+ Tennesseans is receiving another push in the Tennessee State House of Representatives, including some that received a passing vote despite the disapproval of civil rights groups such as the Tennessee Equality Project. Among the passing legislation is HB1473, otherwise known as the anti-Obergefell bill, which moves to circumvent the landmark 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision by the United States Supreme Court that ruled the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the…
Author: Logan Langlois
NASHVILLE, TN — The Music City Loop, known by critics as the Big Dumb Hole, continues to spark controversy amid continued public outcry against the secrecy around the project from its primary sponsors, Elon Musk and his Boring Company. The Loop, which detractors say could negatively impact Nashville’s environment, Nashville’s residents, working-class citizens, including Black and minority communities, and public transportation efforts that would likely be far more affordable to locals, recently received a council resolution from Council Member at Large Delisha Porterfield and nine other council members. The resolution was critical of the Loop and submits the ten council…
NASHVILLE, TN — A community of activist groups joined together with local community members at Centennial Park in protest of the recent abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as well as the United States’ bombing of the capital of Venezuela, Caracas. The protest organizers included the Black Alliance for Peace (BAP), the Middle Tennessee branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), Middle Tennessee Black Gun Club, Nashville People’s Budget Coalition, A Lute Sigue, the Middle Tennessee Democratic Socialists of America, and the Southern Youth Solidarity Network. Wolfgang G. Bronner, B.S., the current BAP…
PERRY, TN — A retired police officer who was detained for 37 days in Perry County, Tennessee, under a $2 million bond for posting a meme on Facebook critical of far-right nationalist, Charlie Kirk, as well as President Donald Trump, is suing the county, the county’s sheriff Nick Weems, and a county investigator Jason Morrow, claiming that they violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights. The lawsuit states that Weems allegedly directed local police to arrest retired officer Larry Bushart. However, Weems and Morrow “understood” the meme “as political commentary on the debate about guns in America, but orchestrated his…
NASHVILLE, TN — Under the command of Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee, the National Guard is in Memphis, despite protests from local government officials, community leaders, and citizens. Gov. Lee readily gave his support regarding the use of federal troops to further a federal crackdown on crime; however, local representatives such as District 86 Tennessee House Representative Justin J. Pearson say Gov. Lee and President Trump are getting their facts wrong regarding crime in Memphis. Pearson said, though Memphis does have a level of crime that is of concern to citizens, it is not at the level, nor following the…
NASHVILLE, TN — The legacy of the late, great civil rights leader and judge Rickard H. Dinkins is being honored by the school system he fought hard to improve. Dinkin’s efforts directly helped desegregate Nashville schools and reshape its school system. To commemorate his impact, Brick Church Middle School is now renamed Judge Richard H. Dinkins Middle School. In his career, Dinkins spent time as the lead attorney for the Nashville school desegregation case, working on high-profile civil rights cases and discrimination cases, and working to create equity within Nashville schools. The dedication ceremony for Dinkins’ name was held at…
NASHVILLE, TN — Elon Musk’s Boring Company is beginning excavation work outside Tennessee’s capital building on Rosa L Parks Boulevard for its Music City Loop project, which they’re proposing will connect to BNA Airport via an underground tunnel. However, Nashville citizens and representatives continue to loudly voice deep concern. Democratic District 51 Tennessee House Representative Aftyn Behn said she does not feel Musk or Boring are being transparent enough about the public concessions that would have to be made for the project. Behn said there are also major equity and community concerns, especially from Black neighborhoods in Nashville, about how…
NASHVILLE, TN – The battle for the health of Memphis’ citizens and environment continues as Elon Musk’s xAI power plant, built for the purpose of powering his Grok AI, continues to face endless backlash regarding its construction and significant pollution output. Community members and activist groups, along with public representatives, continue to speak out against the pollution and lack of transparency shared by Musk’s team since before the Memphis facility opened. Tennessee State House District 86 Memphis Representative Justin J. Pearson said the xAI power plant’s initial construction was illegal, and that when the facility first opened, the air pollution…
NASHVILLE, TN – Nashvillians celebrate an exciting event centered around building up our fellow citizens today, as the new Nashville PBS show The Good In Us is holding a live taping during the A Slice of Community event tonight at 7 pm at Nashville PBS, 161 Rains Avenue. The event is free, though reservations are needed, and taping will begin promptly at 8 pm. Host and producer Jerome Moore said, as someone who has done boots-on-the-ground work not only in his hometown of Nashville but also abroad with the Peace Corps in Paraguay and with Nongovernmental Organizations in Costa Rica,…
NASHVILLE, TN – The self-described “first-of-its-kind” Future Way Forward conference, an extension of the community outreach organization Everybody Versus Racism (EVR), was held last week at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM). Organizers described those who participated in the event as creatives, founders, and professionals dedicated to progressing the conversation around how everyday people can build a more inclusive community in Tennessee. Dr. Gerald Onuoha, CEO of the Future Way Forward conference and Everybody Versus Racism, said announcing the event was very exciting. Onuoha said the purpose of the event is to stir conversation around what an inclusive…