Music City has built its reputation on welcoming everyone. At our core, we bring people together with our southern hospitality and live music. Music is a universal language that connects people and fosters understanding. We're proud that music is the reason millions choose to visit us each year. As Nashvillians, we care for each other and for those who come to our city to enjoy all we have to offer. We stand united in the belief that hate has no place in our community. From the heart of Broadway, the harmony of our city is welcoming to all.
Nashville is a warm, accepting, and inclusive community. We condemn the hate-filled actions of a small group of individuals from other parts of the country spreading harmful messages in Nashville. It is shameful they have chosen to exploit our city's popularity to broadcast their foul agenda.
There is no place for hate in Music City.
Music is the universal language that connects people and fosters understanding. We're proud music is the reason millions choose to visit here each year. We deeply appreciate our visitors and strongly believe the authentic and friendly hospitality they receive from Nashvillians will be the long-lasting memory they take with them.
We will continue working with city leaders, using our industry’s resources to ensure Nashville remains one of the most welcoming cities worldwide.
To our Nashville Neighbors:
I am aware of the concern surrounding the presence of a Neo-Nazi group in our city over the past several days. I share your concerns about their demonstrations and hate speech, which I publicly condemned last weekend. Our officers have been using their visible presence to deter to the greatest extent possible heated verbal confrontations between citizens and the group. Please resist the temptation to engage with them. The group is equipped with video cameras to further its messaging on Internet platforms.
We will swiftly act to detain and arrest for violations of Tennessee criminal law. You saw this on Sunday with the arrest of a Canadian member of the group for felony aggravated assault on 3rd Avenue South.
As unsettling as the protest actions of this group are, even Nazi hate speech is protected under the United States Constitution. Additionally, there are First Amendment (free speech) exemptions to parade permit requirements addressed in the civil Metropolitan Code. Based on information we have seen, the group is traveling to Nashville from a short-term rental in Scottsville, Kentucky. Our police department will work to continue monitoring the group's actions. THANK YOU for supporting the men and women of our police department.
Sincerely,
John C. Drake
Chief of Police
Recent and ongoing actions of a small group of visiting individuals have shocked and concerned many citizens. Media have also reported of several downtown businesses receiving threats. It is a shame that groups or individuals have brought their hate to our city.
With this writing, we stand with our many partners and neighbors in saying: hate is not welcome here: Music City’s spirit of harmony and support is stronger than any hate that makes an attempt to exist here.
Alongside law enforcement and city leaders, our staff, Board, and Ambassadors are here to assist with any concerns you have.
Thank you for your civic engagement in making downtown Nashville a welcoming place to LIVE, WORK, PLAY and INVEST.
Hate has no place in Nashville, and local business leaders stand united against recent divisive disruptions. Nashville shines when we come together against hatred, and we're committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Nashville we cherish. We proudly stand with our partners against hate as we work to build and preserve the type of community we can all be proud of.
Sadly, political violence is common throughout American history, as is hate speech. Fortunately, violent and fatal assaults on public leadership are rare. And that should remain our goal as part of American exceptionalism.
Right now, though, as we see people putting effort into demonstrating hateful ideology publicly—including in Nashville—we should all work both to recognize the incredible power of the First Amendment while rejecting the most hateful and painful of its possibilities.
"I was convinced that hatred among nations and among people perished in Auschwitz. It didn’t. The victims died but the haters are still here. New ones.” ~Elie Wiesel. I got to hear Elie speak during his life. And I will continue working to defeat Nazis. For him and all of us.
We are a city that must always orient toward love and a welcoming spirit because we understand the lessons of the past and despite our ghosts. We enjoy freedoms that allow hatred to exist among us, but it cannot be allowed to come between us.
The Minority Caucus has learned that, over the weekend in downtown Nashville, a Nazi hate group, comprised of adult white men, yelled racial slurs at a group of young Black children.
The Caucus strongly rebukes the actions of these grown men who attempted to spread hatred and dehumanize children. Our right to free speech, though fundamental, should not be used to justify men weaponizing vile, racist language against children. We denounce any form of speech that promotes division, intolerance, or incites hatred.
The Caucus will continue to work with our colleagues and the Administration to send the message that hate has no place in Nashville and that hate groups are not welcome here. No child should have this experience. Our hearts go out to the children impacted and their families.
It is crucial that we stand strong against hate and intolerance, and strive to create a community that upholds the values of compassion, unity, and mutual respect. The Caucus reaffirms its commitment to its mission to protect, empower, and advocate for Nashville's residents of color in order to create a better city for us all.
In Solidarity,
The Minority Caucus