July 28th 2024.
Tennessee Representatives Justin Jones and G.A. Hardaway are calling for a stronger response to the recent neo-Nazi threat in Nashville. Their urgency stems from a disturbing incident on July 20th, where a group of young Black musicians were verbally assaulted and harassed by white supremacists. The two lawmakers addressed this issue at a press conference on July 24th, where they highlighted the concerning rise of neo-Nazis and white supremacists in the city.
During the press conference, Rep. Jones expressed his outrage at the attack on the young musicians, who were simply trying to enjoy their summer break by playing their drums. He referred to it as a disturbing act of intimidation that harkened back to darker times in our history. He also acknowledged that this is not an isolated incident, but rather a systemic issue that is a threat to all children, specifically young Black boys.
The four boys, Rontarius Wilson, Detonio Wilson, Kamond Williams, and Jaquial Forrest, are well-known fixtures in downtown Nashville, often seen drumming on plastic buckets to earn money. Ashton Lee, the mother of Forrest and a friend of the mother of the other three boys, emotionally shared her heartbreak upon realizing that her son was one of the victims in the viral video on social media. She expressed her disappointment in the lack of support from other Tennessee lawmakers and pleaded for them to show that they care and take action to help these children.
Rep. Hardaway also spoke out against the incident, questioning why white supremacists feel comfortable openly marching in his state. He called it disgusting and deplorable, highlighting the need to address the toxic political climate that enables such hateful behavior. He also called on those who support white supremacy to be held accountable.
In response to the incident, Rep. Jones set up a GoFundMe page for the children, which has raised over $15,000 so far. He also criticized the local police for not protecting the boys and instead escorting them away while allowing the neo-Nazis to continue their verbal attacks. He emphasized the importance of allowing these young boys to experience joy in their own city and called for their protection.
To conclude, Rep. Jones stressed the need to continue supporting and uplifting these children and sending a clear message that Black kids deserve to be protected and have the freedom to experience joy. This incident is a reminder that there is still much work to be done in creating a safe and inclusive environment for all children in Nashville.
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