Middle Tennessee DSA

CM Spain also objecting.

CM Welsch hopes that we can uphold the dignity of all people.

Give her statement a fuller listen when you can. Not quick enough at typing tonight!

CM Welsch now giving a brief comment. Says that we need to call things what we are if we don’t want to lose our humanity.

Interrupted by CMs Cash, Kupin and others.

VM Henderson allowing her to speak further, but says that she’s gone past the will of the body.

Resolution RS2025-1545

“We say things to make ourselves feel better. But we don’t do anything.”

Give CM Suara’s statement a listen. Asks how we can watch children dying in a genocide and say nothing, but pass this resolution (does say it’s a good resolution).

Reposting the council session here for convenience. Public statements on the Palestine resolution are pretty early on. Will try and get time codes when I can (will post below): www.youtube.com/live/au_LIL5...

I would strongly recommend viewing the YouTube length for the comments in their entirety. I failed to sufficiently keep up with folks’ words.

Vice Mayor Henderson closes public comment period. Folks are heading out.

Next speaker claims that the council is filled with hate. Asks why we’re “meddling in int’l affairs.”

My typing has been insufficient in keeping up. I have not been able to put together the words (within the Bluesky limits).

Another speaker, self-described anti-Zionist Jew. Says that many object due to Yom Kippur and Oct 7 anniversary proximity.

Says that calling objections to the genocide “antisemitism” it’s dangerous. Notes that Yom Kippur is about atoning for sins.

Next speaker, grandchild of Palestinian refugees who resigned from Navy b/c of the Biden admin’s complicity.

Notes that it invokes Int’l law and human rights org.

Says some called it “inflammatory” but that U.S. ally commits warcrimes with our money and arms, which is inflammatory.

Another statement in support from AMAC. Describes it as a local issue. That she sees her community scared to talk about the brutality that they see. Kids at school getting in trouble for wearing kafiyah.

Says that the rule of law matters. Trump and Israel should be held accountable.

Another speaker against thanking council for deferring. Describes it “divisive and inflammatory.”

Says Trump’s peace process proves that if Palestinians laid down their arms, that it could have ended. The statement gets increasingly misinformed and disgusting.

Next speaker thanks council, MNPD, and others for showing moral clarity. Thanks people for showing up.

Christian Pastor is the next speaker. Describes a second Holocaust. Says that the Palestinian deaths are unfortunate but Hamas’ fault.

Melissa speaking against the resolution, saying that it “does nothing.” Seems to claim those supporting the resolutions are upset that there’s a peace proposal. Claims the CM was dismissive of her concerns.

Vice Mayor directs her to not address the crowd, address the council.

Public statement speaker and PSL member urging the council to take up the resolution.

Notes that cities in the 80s issued resolutions to denounce nuclear weapons. In the 2000s others denounced the Iraq War.

“Do it for your children and our children.”

We will be seeing statements on the matter nonetheless.

You can read the text here:

nashville.legistar.com/LegislationD...

You can watch live (or later) on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/live/au_LIL5...

Nashville Metro Council was rescheduled to tonight due to the Special Election Primary for TN7.

CM Welsch put forward RS2025-1547 to denounce the actions of the U.S. gov’t and state of Israel in committing genocide against the people of Palestine.

It was deferred indefinitely by Rules Committee.

DSA is great. Big tent org that doesn’t compromise on core values.

Middle TN has a strong local in @midtndsa.bsky.social

I’m catching up to missing noting Porterfield’s earlier win for President Pro Tempore of Council.

Only one nominee. VM Henderson gets an “aye” vote from council (unanimous).

CM Cash says he was working on this issue before council. Promises to be “fair minded” in hearing appeals.

Short term rentals appeal board (two year term).

CM Parker nominated CM Cash. Only CM who has served on it since its very recent creation. Notes that STR rental law is complicated b/c of state regulation. Notes Cash sees a lot relevant in his district.

Porterfield wins by one (20-19). So she and Spain get the seats.

Try again round is a 17-17 tie Johnston to Porterfield. Styles at 5.

Parliamentarian notes a tie breaker won’t work. That they will need to drop the candidate with lowest vote and vote again.

Spain gets in in round one. Vote happens again.

Johnston gets to 18, Porterfield at 15, and Styles at 6. No majority. Parliamentarian suggests a “try again round.”

Lowest vote count will get dropped on said round.

Forgot to mention: this is for two positions!

20 - Spain, 19 - Johnston, 19 - Porterfield, Styles - 17.

Those means Spain has a seat. They’re voting on the next member.

CM Suara has nominated CM Porterfield. Notes that if you’re auditing, you need to know how those processes work.

Porterfield talks about her willingness to do research and be transparent. Notes her colleagues’ ability to hold multiple leadership posts.

CM Webb has withdrawn.

CM Huffman nominates CM Spain. Spain notes provides some budget numbers and notes the need for public transparency.

Cites previous government experience supporting the U.S. Congress.

CM Allen nominated CM Johnston. Says that she’s thorough and detail-oriented. Recalls experience on Cares Act money and how that was allocated. Says her questions were “relevant” and discovered “better ways to do something.”

Johnston returns the compliments. Says we should invest more in audits.