We Won a Major Victory for Free Speech and Abortion Rights!
A big and much-needed win, updates about helping flip Tennessee state legislative seats, and Rep. Behn is heading to Knoxville next week!
I’m excited to share some huge news in our fight against Tennessee’s dangerous "abortion trafficking" law! Friday afternoon we secured a major legal win—thanks to the efforts of our incredible legal team in Nashville against the State of Tennessee and the extremist Legislature.
The court has granted us temporary injunctive relief, which means the law is on hold…for now. This ruling doesn’t just protect me as a legislator or Rachel, the other plaintiff in the lawsuit, as an attorney—it protects abortion funds, advocates, and anyone working to help Tennesseans access abortion care. Judge Trauger’s decision affirms our right to discuss abortion options without fear of legal consequences openly. And it goes beyond Tennessee and protects our ability to have these critical conversations across state lines.
This is a huge step forward for free speech and reproductive rights. We’ve sent a clear message: we will not be silenced and will keep fighting for the healthcare and support our communities need.
We are fired up after Friday’s ruling, and I know this momentum will carry us forward into November. Check out the opportunities below to join us nationwide to canvass in flippable House Districts. WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!! LET’S GOOOOO!
Aftyn
Announcements
Rep. Behn heads back to her hometown, Knoxville, NEXT WEEK for a fundraiser!
Hey Knoxville! Grab a beer with Rep. Behn and State Senate candidate Domonica Bryan, who is running for District 6. Printshop Beer Co. was gracious enough to give us a space to discuss the critical issues impacting Knoxville and Tennessee. Grab your fundraiser tickets, and we’ll see you next Wednesday, September 25th.
Join #TeamAftyn on the Road to Flip State Legislative Seats
We’re inching closer to the November elections, and we’re hard at work to elect progressive Tennessee Democrats to office. We’re supporting several down-ballot candidates, and your help can achieve a successful and relentless shift in changing the state’s GOP Supermajority.
We already have events planned to canvas for severable flippable races, including Karen Reynolds (State Senate District 22,) Allie Phillips (State House District 75,) Jesse Huseth (State House District 97,) Noah Nordstrom (State House District 83,) Jonathan Yancey (State House District 13,) and Luis Mata (State House District 49.) We have additional door-knocking events in the works, so check back frequently.
Sign up for United Against Hate Week Day of Action!
Unfortunately, Nazis aren’t going away anytime soon, therefore Nashville Against Nazis continues our mission of organizing, mobilizing and fighting like hell! Our continuing work includes Nashville Against Nazis participating in “United Against Hate Week” September 21-27, 2024. It’s a national call to action event for communities across the U.S. to stand against hate and bias. In Nashville, you can sign up to participate in our day of action on Tuesday, September 24th below!
‘That Woman’ Monologues Benefit Show
A monologue show about the lives of fascinating and courageous women is the perfect campaign benefit!. Tennessee Playwrights Studio’s That Woman: The Monologue Show is the history you didn’t learn in school. - and I can’t wait to see it!. The show is a series of stories from the women involved with President John F. Kennedy -- stories that have often been dismissed or deliberately silenced in the past. It’s set for 7 PM on October 24th at Third Coast Comedy Club. General admission, VIP tables, and presenting sponsorship tickets/opportunities are available by clicking below!
In the Press
On The Go
On June 15th, I held a fundraiser for Senator Heidi Campbell at the excellent Sid Gold’s Karaoke Request Room. So grateful to everyone who joined us for the Heidi Campbell benefit fundraiser Drag Us to Jail. Like I need an excuse to bust out the Marie Antoinette costume, right? Special thanks to the incredible Vivica Steele who performed and ended the event with a dance party for staffers.
Weekends in the fall are for pumpkin patches, college football and canvassing for Tennessee Dem candidates, of course. I kicked off Labor Day weekend canvassing in Mt. Juliet for Ailina Carona, who is running for Tennessee House District 57.
I then headed to Roane County to speak at their Labor Day Luncheon. Two of my favorite high school history teachers, Dr. Mark Banker and Dorn Kile, attended the Roane County Democrats Labor Day picnic. Their lessons about the power of collective action inspire my work to this day. Educators who bring our history to life and remind us to keep standing in solidarity are invaluable to our communities.
I had the opportunity to take a tugboat tour down the Cumberland with a bunch of Republican staffers (don’t worry they didn’t throw me off the boat, but notice I’m the only one wearing my lifevest). 🤣 I learned a lot about tugboat industry and maritime business.
Finally, I attended Nashville’s Labor Day parade with State Senate candidate Karen Reynolds. We walked with AT&T’s CWA (Communications Workers of America) union in Tennessee, who are on strike over their employer declining to engage in good faith negotiations. Workers want a fair contract with higher wages, affordable healthcare, and improvements to work-life balance for those enduring forced mandatory overtime. To help local CWA workers, consider donating to the relief fund for those on the picket lines.
I celebrated ACME Feed and Seed’s 10th birthday by presenting a proclamation! This bar is my favorite on Broadway and where the Locals go to cut loose. A Nashville institution that I’m honored to represent!
Mama B came to Nashville to canvass. For a brief moment, I thought she had been kidnapped, but she was just in a house with an elderly constituent who wanted to talk to her about her excitement about the first female president.
This past Friday, Senator Charlene Oliver and I co-hosted, along with Central Labor Council, a vital roundtable discussion with U.S. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter on corporate power and price gouging.
Community Spotlight
If you’re in Nashville and need a PA system for an event, the Nashville Peoples’ PA has your back. “We offer the use of a free and easy-to-use PA system to organizations that promote progressive causes, including the non-partisan cause of voter registration.
Thank you Rep Behn!!!
You know I think you rock! Keep on keeping on! Love what you are doing for the women of Tennessee, Aftyn. Georgia is getting just a U G L Y. I wish I could say that it is getting better, but it is going to be an all-out brawl. But, to tell you the truth, I think this is where women excel. We are like cats. We don't fight as much, but, by golly, when we do decide to engage, even the biggest dogs turn tail and run. Why? Because we're fighting for ourselves, our sisters, mothers, aunts, and everyone else, and we're not holding anything back from the jump. Go get 'em, my friend. Make him pay like another of my friends made DJT pay her-and she's gonna collect!