A Tennessee House Democrat expelled from the Legislature for helping lead an anti-gun rally is continuing a legal battle against the Republican House speaker, saying his constitutional rights are being violated. Rep. Justin Jones of House District 52 in Nashville filed a memorandum in U.S. District Court on Dec. 30 amending his complaint against Speaker Cameron Sexton and three House staff members, challenging a motion they filed to dismiss the case. In addition to Sexton, Jones filed the lawsuit against House Chief Clerk Tammy Letzler, Chief Sergeant at Arms Bobby Trotter, and House Assistant Chief Clerk Daniel Hicks, saying they…
Author: Sam Stockard
With support from Metro Nashville’s mayor, two Republican lawmakers are sponsoring a measure designed to handcuff hate groups such as those that targeted a synagogue and marched in Nashville last year. Notably, it prohibits the transport of people in box trucks, such as the rental vehicles used to carry neo-Nazi groups to Nashville locations, and gives police more latitude to charge people with violating the law. But one First Amendment expert said the bill is on “constitutional thin ice” even though California adopted a similar law. “It’s important to remember that hate speech is completely protected by the First Amendment…