surjnashville

2021 Accountability Partners

For SURJ Nashville, accountability means having active relationships with and taking direction from people-of-color-led (POC) organizations. The goal of SURJ Nashville is not to produce good members of SURJ, but to train white people to engage well in multi-racial organizing spaces and handle our own learning in a way that does not further burden POC.Continue reading “2021 Accountability Partners”

Say NO to License Plate Readers in Nashville (Again!)

Metro Council voted overwhelmingly in 2017 to prevent the use of fixed License Plate Readers across Nashville. Since then, the MNPD budget has increased year over year, despite unprecedented calls to reallocate money to education, housing, and alternatives to punitive policing. Now, FOP-backed council members are attempting to use a thin promise of increased safety to overturnContinue reading “Say NO to License Plate Readers in Nashville (Again!)”

SURJ Nashville 2021 General Interest Meeting

Last year was tumultuous, to say the least. Now it’s time to get together and plan our work for the next year! Join us virtually on Zoom to discuss how YOU can support BIPOC-led organizations in Nashville through direct action and community organizing! Saturday, April 17th4:00 – 6:00 p.m. We will offer opportunities for community building andContinue reading “SURJ Nashville 2021 General Interest Meeting”

Mayor Barry welcomes white supremacy to Nashville

Peeking through the opulent greenery of the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, a banner has been hung over a railing. It reads “‘God Bless Jeff Sessions’ -David Duke”. Photo by Kyle Lincoln. On Tuesday Morning, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry introduced Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Fraternal Order of Police’s bi-annual national convention. While theContinue reading “Mayor Barry welcomes white supremacy to Nashville”

Fighting 2017 Blue Lives Matter Legislation in TN

As some of you may know, Tennessee lawmakers made clear last summer in July 2016 their intention to pass a number of bills that they are labeling “Blue Lives Matter” bills. They have chosen this label intentionally. #BlueLivesMatter became a hashtag and slogan for those supporting the police against #BlackLivesMatter activists and those demanding racial justiceContinue reading “Fighting 2017 Blue Lives Matter Legislation in TN”

An Open Letter to Nashville Vice Mayor Briley about the #JusticeforJocques Demands

Dear Vice Mayor Briley, Many of us were in attendance at Tuesday night’s Metro Council meeting. We participated in the action in support of Black Lives Matter Nashville, Gideon’s Army, the #JusticeForJocques Coalition, and the family of Jocques Scott Clemmons. We appreciate your willingness to attend to the demands presented. We stand with the #JusticeForJocquesContinue reading “An Open Letter to Nashville Vice Mayor Briley about the #JusticeforJocques Demands”

Stop the Further Militarization of Nashville’s Police

Mayor Megan Barry has proposed to spend $1 million on ballistics armor to protect Nashville Police from assault weapons. Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson referenced the Orlando nightclub massacre as one justification for increased armor, despite the fact that no police were harmed and, in fact, were likely responsible for some of the civilian deaths.Continue reading “Stop the Further Militarization of Nashville’s Police”