Nashville's Nazi Problem

When white nationalists come to town, we organize, we mobilize, and we #FightLikeHell to ensure that Nashville remains a place where everyone feels safe and valued.

As the State Representative whose district covers downtown Nashville, I am deeply committed to ensuring Nashville remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone. The continued and ubiquitous presence of white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups poses a serious threat to our community, and we must come together to stand against hate and bigotry. This week, we discovered that the Goyim Defense League is setting up shop in Nashville from July 12th-26th.

You can find my most recent statement on the July 6th neo-nazi march in Downtown Nashville here, which draws a connection from the rise of the far right’s presence in Nashville and the xenophobic, anti-trans, and pro-carceral policies aggressively promoted by the Republican supermajority.

In my organizing career, I’ve helped community groups across the country challenge and respond to white nationalism in their hometowns with mentorship from my counterparts at RuralOrganizing (Shout out to my day job boss Matt Hildreth!)

Below, I’ve included steps from RuralOrganizing.org’s Organizing Toolkit on defending democratic institutions against violence by white nationalists. Here’s how we can effectively organize and act in both our rural and urban communities.

1. Identify Our Allies

Unity is our strength. We need to build strong coalitions across various sectors of civil society. Work together with labor groups, environmental organizations, grassroots movements, and representative bodies of groups who are under attack, and legal entities to create a powerful and united front against neo-Nazis. Reach out to nontraditional allies, such as artists, media, public figures, and oversight institutions, to amplify our message and broaden our impact.

2. Establish Our Agenda

Clearly define the goals and values that drive our movement. A focused agenda helps ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards common objectives. This clarity will guide our strategies and actions as we fight against neo-Nazi influence in our community.

• This week, my goal is to show this group that they are not welcome in our city. I will meet with agencies and other elected officials to determine the best way to undermine their comfort, pursue legal consequences, and coordinate community actions.

3. Compile Research

Knowledge is power. Conduct thorough research to understand the neo-Nazi groups operating in Nashville, their tactics, and their networks. Utilize resources and tools to gather information that will help us develop effective counter-strategies.

• You can check out SPLC’s 2023 report, The Year in Hate and Extremism, and learn more about the current operating extremist groups in Tennessee.

4. Develop Safety Protocols

Our priority is the safety of everyone involved in counter-protesting these groups. Regular risk assessments are crucial. Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities to better protect our community. Enhance cybersecurity by seeking digital security training and using tools from trusted sources like the toolkit below. Create spaces prioritizing physical and mental health, ensuring collective protection and well-being.

• Check out this toolkit from the Ruckus Society on Security Culture for Activists on how to stay safe while communicating across platforms.

• Check out this resource from Vision, Change Win for building community safety protocol.

5. Provide an Alternative

Offer positive alternatives to the hate-filled rhetoric of neo-Nazis by actively promoting inclusivity, diversity, and unity through community events, educational programs, and public campaigns. To foster a sense of belonging and mutual respect, organize multicultural festivals, neighborhood potlucks, and inclusive town hall meetings. Launch public awareness campaigns highlighting the contributions of various cultural groups using social media and local media outlets. Engage businesses, faith groups, and civic organizations to endorse and participate in these initiatives, displaying symbols of inclusivity and hosting interfaith dialogues.

6. Educate the Media

Work with local media to ensure accurate and responsible reporting on neo-Nazi activities. Provide journalists with the necessary information to cover these issues thoughtfully and factually, especially if you live in a rural community.

7. Demonstrate Support

Organize public demonstrations, rallies, and events to show widespread opposition to neo-Nazi groups. Visible, peaceful protests can send a strong message that our community stands united against hate.

• I’ll continue to push out information from organizing peers about counterprotests and actions in response to the neo-Nazi presence in our community. This includes regularly updating the public on upcoming counterprotests, rallies, and community gatherings through social media, newsletters, and local media outlets.

8. Target Power Sources

Identify and target the power sources that support or enable neo-Nazi activities. This can include financial backers, sympathetic public officials, or media outlets that provide a platform for their ideology. Apply pressure through advocacy, boycotts, or public campaigns to cut off these sources of support.

• Republican leadership in our state has failed to adequately respond to the rise of hate groups and white nationalist activities within our communities. This lack of decisive action and leadership has allowed hate groups to feel increasingly comfortable and bold in their activities, as evidenced by the recent Patriot Front rally in downtown Nashville. I will continue to demand accountability from Tennessee’s leadership.

• Companies like HCA, AT&T, Amazon, and FedEx continue to financially support the Republican House caucus, even in the face of their inadequate response to the rise of white nationalism in Nashville. Despite the clear threat posed by hate groups and the alarming increase in extremist activities, these corporations have chosen to maintain financial ties with political entities that have failed to take robust and decisive action against hate and intolerance. Learn more by checking out Adam Friedman at the Tennessee Lookout’s Cash for Clout.

9. Mobilize

Activate and engage the community through grassroots organizing. Encourage people to participate in actions, attend meetings, and stay informed. Use social media, community networks, and local organizations to spread the word and build momentum.

Next Steps

Organizing against neo-Nazis in Nashville will continue to be an uphill battle, especially with the far-right calling Nashville home and spewing their virulent ideologies. We must build strong alliances and protect our most vulnerable communities from their activity and rhetoric. For my part, I commit to do the following:

1. Downtown Businesses: I will be asking Nashville businesses to sign our Nashville Against Nazis pledge, committing to publicly displaying their stance against the hateful activity of these groups. Sign up here.

2. Elected Officials and Media: I will organize a briefing for elected officials and media to hear from experts on these groups so that we, as your representatives, can be better informed. Sign up here.

3. Visibility: Donate to fund our “Nashville Against Nazis” campaign so we can buy yard signs and stickers for community members to show solidarity across our city. You can sign up for them here. Donate here.