Tennessee Pastors Decry Legislative Rules Limiting Free Speech

Southern Christian Coalition speaks out on rules of special session, calls for inclusive policies

A group of Tennessee pastors affiliated with the Southern Christian Coalition is speaking out against legislative rules they say stifle free speech and silence the voices of parents. The rules were adopted as part of a special legislative session focused on public safety.

The adopted rules restrict signs from being brought to the House chamber and also limit the number of individuals who may be in the gallery or hallways surrounding the chambers of the House and Senate.

"In Tennessee, across our races, places, and backgrounds, we value our freedoms," said Rev. Dr. Kevin Riggs, Senior Pastor of Franklin Community Church. "But a powerful and wealthy few have always tried calling the shots - seeking to divide and control us in an attempt to distract us from their failure to keep us safe. And that's exactly what's happening right now in this supposed 'Special Session on Public Safety' here in Tennessee.

Riggs added:

"The 'House Rules' proposed and passed by the Supermajority Legislature on Monday, such as not allowing paper into the gallery, and giving their lobbyists preferential seating in the House viewing gallery while severely restricting the general public, are the perfect example of their desire for power and control over the power of the people. They know their agenda is unpopular so they want to rule over, not represent us. And so far this week the Supermajority has shown us they are willing to sacrifice the First Amendment in order to protect the Second Amendment. Tennesseans have made it clear what they want from this special session, yet the Supermajority has made it clear they will not listen and instead have given in to demagoguery over democracy. 

Riggs suggested that proponents of common sense gun reforms speak out to let the legislature know how they feel, regardless of the limiting rules:

"Tennesseans across races, places, and parties must come together and continue to speak out, just as those before us have done, to protect our freedoms, and to protect democracy."

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