Nashville has been facing a vexing problem, with a revolving door of white nationalist groups coming to call over the past months. There were so many of these groups that it started to receive national and even international attention, including the Jerusalem Post reporting, “Nashville has a Nazi problem: Jews face two weeks of neo-Nazi invasion.” The disturbance and disruption from these groups could not continue unabated. It’s hard to know what to do in response, since counter protest and reactions is what these groups hope to provoke, but doing nothing is simply not an option. Nashville Together became the rallying cry and on July 21, close to 1,000 people gathered with us at Bicentennial Park to stand up loudly and proudly for the values of civility, decency, diversity, and respectful community, making clear that the work of these hate bias groups is not welcome here.
Lamenting the arrival of these groups demonstrating and marching through our city, spreading vile and vicious antisemitic propaganda, modeled on the sort of imagery used by the Nazis during World War II, lead to a series of statements, meetings, and action plans. Even the most despicable rhetoric, if not directly promoting violence, is protected under the First Amendment and even the most offensive groups have a right to demonstrate and protest, if they follow the rules. And that has been the challenge. Finding effective and productive ways to mitigate the efforts of these groups who often arrive armed with their own lawyers to advise them on how to step up to the limit. Federation leadership convened meetings with city officials to implore them to support law enforcement in efforts to give consequences to the actions whenever possible, and to be creative in finding new ways to address new problems. Where does their right to demonstrate and perpetuate dangerous propaganda begin to infringe on our right to feel safe and secure? What can be affected by the city and what needs state action? These efforts are a work in progress and will continue until we find practical solutions. State effort will need to wait until the Tennessee State Assembly reconvenes in January, but we are already working with lawmakers on what is possible and successful.
Even with the concerted effort to address the situation, another such group descended on the city in July, with all their antisemitic Nazi themed regalia, taking things to a new low. After littering our neighborhoods with their disgusting and dangerous lies, including violent images, they began displaying these images along our highways and streets, and in front of our Jewish congregations and Metro Courthouse.
After days of this assault on our sensibility, deliberately designed to provoke and goad reaction, they turned their attention on our Metro Council, attempting to co-opt and disrupt the meeting on July 16. They were organized and shrewd enough to get to the meeting early, to commandeer the public comment portion of the meeting, but taking all but one of the open speaking slots. Jewish Federation CEO, Rabbi Dan Horwitz, had already signed up for the first space, and this group of self-proclaimed Nazis took all the remaining space.
After being strategic enough to take all the public comment time slots, they could not overcome their own despicable and cruel behavior. While in the gallery waiting for the meeting to stop, members of the group insulted and demeaned women, verbally attacked Jews and immigrants, and deliberately disrespected council members. Their rude and disruptive behavior continued until the meeting was called to order. But they just could not help themselves – as if their twisted world view could not be contained and it spewed out of them. Ultimately, Metro Council President Pro-tem, Zulfat Suara, cleared the gallery to end the disruption and allow the council to conduct business. Due to being kicked out of the meeting, this group was forced to forfeit the speaking slots they had tried so hard to control.
Social media posts about the goings on spread quickly, and many were sickened by the sights and sounds of their hateful interactions. Soon people were messaging concern, fear and anger. Some shared they were feeling under siege. Enough is enough!
With the help of city and state contacts, and as a collective testament to the strength of our will and resolve to defy this Nazi group, we were able to make Nashville Together event happen in a matter of three days. The barbarians were literally at the entrance gate of the event, but their venom only served to make those there to participate even more determined to stand opposed to their bigoted and hateful message. As the band, led by Cantor Josh Goldberg, played the Tom Petty classic, the audience belted out the lyrics, “I Won’t Back Down!” which drowned out the Nazi verbal attacks. Through music, spoken word, and strong words of support and action, we made it clear that there are so many more of us devoted to promoting the values of diversity, kindness, civility, decency and respect, in our city and in our world.
Nashville Together met the moment, providing a reprise from the relentless assault from these groups, and an opportunity to enrich our souls and give us the sustenance to continue the work of promoting civil community bringing us together with friends, neighbors, colleagues and all those devoted to bringing the light. The inspiration from the day will serve to fortify, nourish and strengthen our spirit and our resolve to continue the work of building secure Jewish community, and to partner with our friends, neighbors and partners to continue to meet the moment by spreading light, warmth, and hope.
JCRC July Actions:
- Meeting local and state officials to educate about and address antisemitism
- Outreach to public and private school officials to prepare for the upcoming school year
- Participate in Metro Council meetings
- Presentations to two local civic groups about Jewish life and current antisemitism
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