“We have to put Tennessee Republicans on the defense because they’ve got some explaining to do about how they’re recklessly ravaging the lives of ordinary people across the state.” Newly elected TNDP Chair Hendrell Remus on the future of the party in Tennessee and the need for effective messaging.
PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you like to listen.
Rep. Yarbro raises serious concerns about HB7004, a rushed education bill that isn’t properly funded and was passed without hearing testimonial from a single educator.
FOLLOW THE MONEY – Rep. Bo Mitchell sounds the alarm on the literacy bill steering money to companies. He tells Rep. Cepicky if he wants Tennessee to move from the bottom to “#1 in education” that we need to “Change our F in Funding.”
Tennessee’s Resident QAnon Rep who deleted her Twitter account, Susan Lynn, has the House rise for a moment of silence for Trump…who is still alive.
We have a new President. Trump is officially out, and President Biden and Vice President Harris have been sworn in, with Harris breaking glass ceilings, racial barriers, and gender barriers everywhere. The work continues, but today we are all taking a collective sigh of relief. Here are some highlights from their inauguration:
A kiss for a young girl. A pound for Obama. Our first black female VP on the verge of getting sworn in. ?? pic.twitter.com/AzHrAh1KZt
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 20, 2021
HISTORY (HERSTORY): First Latina SCOTUS judge swears in the first woman and first Black or Asian American person to hold the office of VP. ?? pic.twitter.com/O1Hi1xWTk8
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 20, 2021
It’s done. It’s official. President Biden. ?? pic.twitter.com/Ava2ryJ5Aa
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 20, 2021
BIDEN: “There is truth and there are lies. Lies told for power and profit. Each of us has a duty and a responsibility as citizens, as Americans, especially as leaders… to defend the truth and defeat the lies." pic.twitter.com/72acSk4Jx3
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 20, 2021
“Together we shall write an American story of hope, not fear. Unity, not division. Light, not darkness.” ?? #BidenHarrisInauguration pic.twitter.com/Mz0NmnUcUb
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 20, 2021
“IT’S A DISGRACE.”
I just joined Dan Reaves on News Talk radio in West TN to talk about the hypocrisy of politicians praising MLK while they block health care for poor folks in Tennessee, and why working people coming together across racial lines is their real nightmare. Here's a clip. @TalkWtn pic.twitter.com/szz99eatZC
— Justin Kanew (@Kanew) January 18, 2021
Few things are more disgraceful than Tennessee Republican Party legislators claiming to appreciate MLK on this day every year when they spend the other 364 fighting against everything he stood for. Here are some examples of their glaring hypocrisy and some quotes reflecting what MLK actually stood for.
One of our all-time favorites, Rev. Dr. William Barber calls out Governor Lee…with Lee sitting right behind him:
WATCH: “Politicians can’t say they love Dr. King, and how he stood for love & unity… but then refuse to support his agenda. RIGHT GOVERNOR?”
2019, NASHVILLE — @RevDrBarber calls out @GovBillLee and his party of hypocrites TO HIS FACE.?? #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/bSzTibwrAG
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 18, 2021
Governor Bill Lee:
.@GovBillLee refuses to expand Medicaid to 300,000 Tennesseans and spent $1 MILLION keeping peaceful protestors off a public plaza this summer before passing a law making what they were doing a felony. He also attacks unions and is an enemy to public education. #MLKDay https://t.co/WIZAZTybFq
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 18, 2021
Rep. Mark Green:
Mark Green blocked health care expansion to 300,000 poor folks, voted to disenfranchise millions of black voters after his lies helped incite a deadly mob??
He is the antithesis of MLK in every way, his calls for love over hate & division are laughably hypocritical. #MLKDay https://t.co/5nSyAjyFDQ
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 18, 2021
Senator Blackburn:
Marsha was going to vote to throw out the votes of millions of black Americans until the insurrection fueled by her endless lies threatened her personally…. she also once invited a Neo-Confederate secessionist to give the prayer on the House floor. #MLKDay https://t.co/jFPcvmR2M9
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 18, 2021
Rep. John Rose:
ROSE VOTED TO DISENFRANCHISE MILLIONS OF BLACK PEOPLE EVEN AFTER A DEADLY, VIOLENT INSURRECTION ??#SitDownJohn #JimCrowCaucus @CvilleHoller https://t.co/gqixpB9xqM
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 18, 2021
State Rep. Lamberth:
Accountability isn’t “hate”, majority leader @WilliamLamberth.
Here’s a couple other pertinent MLK quotes for you to chew on… Legislators who just criminalized protest should probably keep his name out of their mouths. https://t.co/QtgJ6M9hKE pic.twitter.com/Un41ziIQ5Y
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 18, 2021
Rep. Faison:
.@tnhousegop caucus leader Faison apparently doesn’t realize MLK wrote that after being arrested for protesting… meanwhile Faison and his caucus just passed a law felonizing protest this summer??#MLKDay https://t.co/P68wabwSI7
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 18, 2021
Rep. Kelsey:
Senator Kelsey is currently championing Right to Work legislation attacking unions. MLK was murdered while supporting striking sanitation workers right here in Memphis. ?? #MLKDay https://t.co/QtjwQfVVUD
— The Memphis Holler (@MemphisHoller) January 18, 2021
Here are a couple of quotes that you’ll never see Republicans use in their disingenuous tributes:
New year, new… WTF. Aftyn and Anna are back for season 4 in the wake of the pro-Trump QAnon furry hat wearing insurrection identifying the Tennessee culprits and grappling with how to humanize those involved. BONUS: tips on how to talk to your people who believe in conspiracy theories
LINKS
Sign this petition to take down Steve Berger,
Gov. Lee’s extremist pastor at Grace Chapel
How to speak to people who believe in conspiracy theories
Republican Attorney Generals launch robocalls
Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver’s Tennessean patriot profile
FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you like to listen.
LISTEN ? "We have to figure out how to deal with the banality of evil."
On @gritspodcast, @louisiannamal & @AftynBehn talk about how seemingly normal people participated in the insurrection and how a bad ideology can creep up if we don't push back.
Pod: https://t.co/oekPW2M2po pic.twitter.com/4DspX7HWgS
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 16, 2021
Journalists Abby Lee Hood and Matt Bastin join to talk about Tennesseans’ involvement in the undemocratic coup attempt by MAGA insurrectionists that took place at our Capitol last week. We explore the moment we are in and where to go from here, including how it is more important now than ever to include antifascism into everything we do. Not only is supporting antifascism the right thing to do, but we will never pass a Green New Deal or any other progressive legislation if we don’t both practice antifascism and push for democratic reforms.
Read Matt and Abby Lee’s piece in Tennessee Lookout that inspired this episode
Read Angela Davis’ Abolition Democracy Beyond Empire Prisons & Torture
Sunrise Tennessee Interest Form
Volunteer for The Equity Alliance
Find out what Native Land you are living on
Follow Sunrise Tennessee on Twitter and Facebook.
FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts and wherever else you like to listen.
"You have a group with an intent to do harm that let the disorganization of the moment cover for them."
Journalists @AbbyLeeHood & @mort713 join @cassjacks on #RockyTopSunrise to talk about the MAGA coup attempt and the importance of antifascism.
Pod ? https://t.co/oekPW2M2po pic.twitter.com/3HBTiMh07e
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 15, 2021
Jess Wilson joins again to talk about local food farming programs during the Covid pandemic as well as issues our farmers continue to face as they try to bring income and work equality to a rural industry.
Jess’ Business: In Town Organics and Summer Fields
National Young Farmers Coalition
FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.
"If we want to encourage young people to move into our rural communities, then they have to be able to access land and have access to capital."
Small Farmer Jess Wilson talks about how fair wages, healthcare, etc, are all issues that impact farmers.
Pod: https://t.co/oekPW2M2po pic.twitter.com/FO4qyAh7W2
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 15, 2021