Metro Nashville Councilwoman At Large
Former D29 CM
Mom/Educator/Organizer/Believer
Racial/Social/Econ Justice
Former TN State Co-Chair
@BernieSanders
She/Her
I did a thing. 🙈
I had the honor & privilege of filing my substitute budget. My focus for this year’s substitute budget was to utilize an equity lens to prioritize the residents of Nashville, particularly our youth, & our city employees, who are vital to making our city thrive
Well today I cried like a baby when I learned that
@BernieSanders
would be suspending his campaign. I cried for poor & working class people. My daughter came down the stairs to see what was wrong. I explained how heartbroken I was that we live in a country that hates poor people
And yes - Rep. Jones and I ran for this same seat. He won. And I was determined to do everything in my power to protect democracy, the vote and the will of the people. ✊🏽
Honored to nominate Rep
@brotherjones_
today and welcome him back to his seat.
The people chose their representative. With this vote, we sent a strong message to our state government and across the country that we will not tolerate threats to our democracy.
#TennesseeThree
I have never seen adults cower to children. Why are y'all so afraid of.....kids? I was there that day. It was teens & college students. Some teachers & parents. Lots of familiar faces. Babies demanding gun reform so they can write essays in school, not wills
#LiarLiarPantsOnFire
👂LISTEN: lie-filled robocall thanks Rep Johnny Garrett for expelling the TN 3, calls them “radical activists posing as elected officials” who “led an angry mob of Antifa intending violence”, says “pipe bombs and brass knuckles” were confiscated. Lies.
@EnlightTN
is linked to
Current status: Waiting outside of my kid's school with other parents - terrified because there was a gun threat which we are now hearing was a hoax. I have never seen this many police cars. SWAT is sweeping the building. My child has been hiding in a fucking closet.
Honored to nominate Rep
@brotherjones_
today and welcome him back to his seat.
The people chose their representative. With this vote, we sent a strong message to our state government and across the country that we will not tolerate threats to our democracy.
#TennesseeThree
THANK YOU NASHVILLE!
Our campaign was focused on working people, affordable housing and better representation and tonight’s results show that’s exactly what Nashvillians want to see from their elected officials!
It is such a tremendous honor to be the top vote winner in the run
We just voted down a resolution allowing an Aerial Encroachment with Morgan Wallen's name on it. Yes THAT Morgan Wallen. The one who throws chairs & uses racial slurs.
Nope! No thank you.
Try that in a small town.... 🤷🏽♀️ better yet....don't try it all.
Z was the 1st Black woman to win At Large out right! This is the first time in Metro's history the first 2 seats went to Black people/women. This is the 1st time the At Larges are all women! The whole front row is women. We elected the 1st trans person in TN's history!
Nashville had never elected a Black candidate to the
#1
seat on council. This year, these women are the top vote getters for council at-large
Congratulations
@zulfat4council
and
@DelishiaForNash
on your historic county-wide victories
What did you do to save democracy today?
I stood in line & waited 2 hours as soon as the polls opened to cast votes for
@JoeBiden
@Bradshaw2020
@repjimcooper
&
@RepMikeStewart
! It's a GREAT DAY to have your voice heard at the polls! Wear a mask, socially distance & VOTE!
Last night’s tragedy in Nashville is devastating. Our hearts go out to the victims and their loved ones. The federal government must do everything it can to provide aid and resources to help the city rebuild.
The day democracy died - A 🧵
My daugter & I-constituents of HD52-spent the day protesting gun violence & the unjust expulsion of our duly elected Representative
@brotherjones_
We chanted in the rain, passed out water, spent 3 hrs to get in the Capitol & stood in solidarity 1/
Thank you
@NashvilleScene
for the chance to discuss Reimagining Public Safety. This isn't going away. We, as a community, are willing, ready & positioned to do the work.
I appreciate the work that
@gideonsarmyutd
does. Glad to see them highlighted here.
Today on my 41st birthday, I'm excited to announce my campaign for Metro Council At-Large! Nashville is filled with amazing people who care about their community & I will fight to ensure their voices are heard! Help me fight for a better Nashville! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
Today I return to covering the coronavirus in Tennessee after a much-needed vacation. This thread is will recap major outbreak trends over the past 10 days or so, just in case you need a refresher. (I did.) It's not pretty. 1/
Dr.
@JamesEKHildreth
has been a comforting voice during this time.
6/22/2020
Nashville: Phase 3
My home: Phase 1
The numbers are increasing. Please do what you can to keep yourselves safe. My family is
#SaferAtHome
Sincerely,
#TheEXTREMESocialDistancer
Biggest flex 💪🏼 of the night goes to
@SandraForNash
she fought Nazis AND dropped the HARDEST album cover of ALL time.
📸 Martin Cherry with a Pulitzer Prize winning photo 🔥🔥🔥🔥
@nashvillebanner
My baby and her friends are there. The moment I heard the chants, my heart dropped. I knew they would be removed and I prayed they would not be hurt. Terrifying moment as mama. My baby and her friends are literally fighting for their lives. The children are leading.
The MNPS email was disappointing & deterred some students. I asked my baby her wishes. She said she hoped she didn't walk out alone. I asked WWYD do if you're alone? "I'll be embarrassed but I'll walk out alone. I don't care if I'm alone. I'm going" -Niya age 15
Be still my 💙
I am deeply disappointed to see that the President of my Alma Mater THE Tennessee State University
@TSUedu
has accepted a position on the Board of Directors for
@CoreCivic
, a private, for-profit prison & immigration detention center. 1/4
My daughter & I were in a hit & run accident on my way to see the fireworks tonight. 🎆 We got checked out & everything's ok. Thank you
@NashGenHospital
& specifically my friend
@KGreenMD
! She took great care of me in the ER & helped pass the time!
When folks said there was no way, no path to victory and to just take the abuse and overreach of the State, some of us chose to fight. I will never stop fighting for democracy and for the people. A win is win.
#GuardiansOfDemocracy
Tennessee AG says the state will not appeal the preliminary injunction in the Metro Council 40-member vs. 20-member case.
Earliest the reduction could take place is now 2027.
More:
And while she's ok physically - this shit is traumatizing. No kids or families deserve this. No teachers deserve this. And the people who could do something to address it would rather make the NRA and gun lobbyists richer instead of protecting our children.
Current status: Waiting outside of my kid's school with other parents - terrified because there was a gun threat which we are now hearing was a hoax. I have never seen this many police cars. SWAT is sweeping the building. My child has been hiding in a fucking closet.
I CAN'T WAIT to get past this election and back to organizing. We will break up this super majority. We are coming for your seats and we will protect our kids. It's not a threat. It's a promise.
And while she's ok physically - this shit is traumatizing. No kids or families deserve this. No teachers deserve this. And the people who could do something to address it would rather make the NRA and gun lobbyists richer instead of protecting our children.
You know what I love most about
@freddieoconnell
's campaign? It's that his campaign is one of hope and joy. People are HAPPY to vote for him - happy at the possibility of a Nashville for the people and by the people. 💪🏼💪🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
The MNPS email was disappointing & deterred some students. I asked my baby her wishes. She said she hoped she didn't walk out alone. I asked WWYD do if you're alone? "I'll be embarrassed but I'll walk out alone. I don't care if I'm alone. I'm going" -Niya age 15
Be still my 💙
But you know why I didn't cry?
I didn't cry because it was over - because it's not over. 🗣️ The people united will never be divided. They have ignited people to stand up like never before and MY Rep, Rep. Jones will be back before you know it. 6/
#TennesseeThree
We won our Council Reduction lawsuit. The State voting to reduce our council size was deemed unconstitutional AND the courts ruled that we the voters CAN sue the state when they pass harmful legislation that only impacts 1 municipality!🔥🔥🔥🔥 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
TN History repeats itself
#Storytime
Did you know in 1961 John Lewis & a group of demonstrators tried to meet w/Gov. Ellington re: 14 students suspended from
@TSUedu
for being arrested in the Freedom Rides? Instead of facing the people, he cowardly slipped through a side door.
This morning I reflect on the Nashville we are creating. I'm immensely proud & grateful. I cried like a baby from the moment they released the early voting results...but not for me. I cried for
@angienashville
, Jeff Preptit &
@HarrellforD8
I cried bc they could (& did) win. 1/3
Nashville - I'm honored to serve you as the 2023-2024 Budget & Finance Chair. Thank you
@angienashville
for your vote of confidence and allowing me this opportunity to serve. 💙💛 🤜🏼🤛🏻
Inbox: Committee appointments for the 2023-2027 term from Vice Mayor
@angienashville
.
Excited for the opportunity to facilitate discussion as Chair of Transportation and Infrastructure!
This is disgusting. This is why we show up & document. Tax-payer funded building yet the people and the press are not being allowed to watch our government work. A decade ago we would have said "stay woke" but now woke is used a dog whistle for facists, racists & alarmists.
Here are troopers telling us we couldn’t be in the rotunda today, where we have always reported from, because it was “full” — despite nobody being there, as you can see.
They roped it off so legislators could ignore the people without discomfort.
#TNSpecialSession
Thank God I have my baby. She told me how she helped her teacher barricade the door to keep everyone safe. How she texted to check on her friends. How they didn't know if this was a drill. How her teacher told her to shut the door locking them in as he stayed out to protect them
Current status: Waiting outside of my kid's school with other parents - terrified because there was a gun threat which we are now hearing was a hoax. I have never seen this many police cars. SWAT is sweeping the building. My child has been hiding in a fucking closet.
Thank you again Nashville! 34,450 votes - for a 1 term District CM in her 1st city-wide race? 0.9% away from an outright win? Only 89 days in the race? Wow! We did that Nashville! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 We advanced together....and we will do it again in Sept! I'll need your help though. We need
THANK YOU NASHVILLE!
Our campaign was focused on working people, affordable housing and better representation and tonight’s results show that’s exactly what Nashvillians want to see from their elected officials!
It is such a tremendous honor to be the top vote winner in the run
Seeing an uptick in Neo-Nazi activity in the last few days here in Nashville. Received a horrendous email today. Be clear, divisiveness and hate have no place here.
Great news from the State of Metro! The Mayor's Proposed Budget will fully fund MNPS for the first time in this generation. The average teacher will see a salary increase of almost $7k.
Removing someone's mask while COVID is still a real thing is beyond comprehension to me. This is so vile. The powers that be are more hostile towards students than they were to insurrectionists who tried to overthrow the damn government.
CM Swope asked where the peaceful protest from the 60's have gone. Let us never forget that Dr. King, a proponent of peace, was killed by violence. Let us remember Colin Kaepernick whose peaceful protest led to people to losing their minds. Be glad VM didn't call on me to respond
These are the faces of a few of the people on the front lines of saving our Democracy in TN and across the Nation. Sometimes apart, sometimes in collation but always for the sake of the people, justice, & democracy. We will never stop fighting for you Nashville. 💙👊🏽
I've been pretty 🤫 but I figured I should share. I'm home from the hospital after an unknown illness led me to stay there for 2wks, including 4 days in ICU. Thankfully I'm getting better each day. Thank you for the prayers & support. Lastly NEVER take your health for granted.
2 Briefings later yet I'm still unclear as to why there was not more done by MNPD, TBI & FBI to address the Nashvillle bomber when he was reported by his gf last year. I look forward to more information being released & how we can move forward to ensure this never happens again.
A dying mule kicks the hardest. The people united will never be divided. The people united will never be defeated. Solidarity today. Solidarity tomorrow. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏽✊🏾✊🏼
#ThisIsNashville
This made me cry. Bob has been a colleague, a mentor and a friend.
Back in 2015 when I started coming to council meetings, he always took the time to answer questions.
He has been a leader on council.
He has also been my friend. When I almost died in 2022 and spent 2 wks
The business of the council is to listen to the people. That could have and should have been handled better. You are telling people, many of whom do not trust Government, that their voice does not matter....that we have listened long enough. I am livid.
"The people who work here should be able to live here. We don't want to create this city where people can work at the concessions of the Titans game but they can't afford to go to one. That's not the type of city I want to live in."
Thx!
@ElliottStephenB
MNPD is the only dept that we have REFUSED to say no to & we treat them as if they have unfettered access to the coffers. We tell parks no, we tell schools no, we tell Fire & Metro Action Commission no, we tell arts & animal control no & we tell Metro employees no ALL THE TIME
Nashville’s Metro Council rejected a $24 million contract that would have provided the police department with new Tasers — a shift from past years, when requests from the department have tended to get swift approval.
One of my biggest annoyances of how Black history and the Civil Rights Movement is taught is they act like our ancestors were random people who took a stand in the moment instead of experienced, well studied, & prepared activists who led calculated measured movements.
My 16 yr old regularly watches the meetings now. I think she misses me 😂 I had to explain I voted "no" on calling the question, not against the legislation. My kid, who is also my constituent, holds me accountable and I'm here for it!
As a former educator, I proudly supported Senator Sanders in 2016 because of his strong commitment to working families. As an activist, I appreciate his work and dedication to the Civil Rights Movement. Now, as a newly elected official, I wholeheartedly support
@BernieSanders
I've asked the reporter to correct the record. It leaves out the work of Rep. Love, Rep. Harris, Leader Camper, CM. Rosenberg & myself. I would have never said anything - I'm more of a behind the scenes person - but if there will be a record, it needs to be historically accurate
This is a good piece, but to be clear, on the Monday *before* the expulsion, I spoke with
@DelishiaTN
and she was wanting to file a resolution or make a nomination - whatever was determined to be correct procedure - to put
@brotherjones_
back in his seat.
She led early. Class.
Everyday you open your eyes, is a gift. 2 years ago today I was in ICU fighting for my life. I had zero intentions of going to the hospital. I was so sick my brain wasn't getting enough oxygen & it was impairing my judgment. I really thought I was okay &planned to tough it out🧵
Divesting funds is something we are all too familiar with in Nashville, as we recently saw MNPS being asked to cut up to $100M from its budget in light of COVID-19. Change can be scary, but now is the time. Let's create the public safety system we want to see.
I am in the House Chamber and we can hear the demands of the people in the halls.
🗣️"Do your jobs!" & "Save Our Kids"
Families, mostly elementary aged students and their parents, are in the halls demanding gun reform.
I'm thrilled to host a Southeast roundtable tomorrow w/ Dr. Jane Sanders - wife of
@SenSanders
at my favorite local coffee shop -The Bean Bag Coffee & Tea Shop.
Space is limited but there are a few slots left! Please let me know if you want to attend!
I'm tired. But I'm not "I don't know when my lights will be on tired." I'm not "I don't have home owners/renters insurance tired." I'm not "I don't have money for a deductible tired." I'm not "We don't have food tired." So I will keep working...for those that are THAT tired. 💪🏼❤️
TN &
@BillLeeTN
never fail to disappoint. If you didn't know, elected officials can perform weddings in Tennessee. I've officiated a few and would love to do more. If you're looking for someone to marry you, I will do it gladly.
Yesterday, an At Large candidate told me that I make other people happy....like in a deep and meaningful way. Today a supporter told me I give great hugs. Earlier, a man in Walmart parking lot let down his window and yelled "Keep going baby girl! You making us proud!"
No one:
Absolutely no one:
Not a single soul!:
Me at the
@Beyonce
concert: This shole is a nice Stadium. 🏟️ Looks like a first class facility to me! 🧐🧐🧐🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️
Rep. Torrey Harris made it to the TN State Capitol with Rep. Justin J. Pearson's Reappointment & Minutes! Swearing In Is 8:30AM, April 13 at Legislative Plaza!
@Justinjpearson
#TenneseeThree
Reminder that elected officials are people too. I'm pretty private & don't post much about my life. I had 0 intentions of revealing I was hit last night & ONLY shared bc I was so THANKFUL to have
@KGreenMD
take care of me. To have someone say we deserved it is beyond shitty. 😡
2 yrs ago today, I went home after 2 wks in the hospital & ICU.
I'm still here.
I survived. I'm healthy & thriving. My daughter still has her mama & that means more than anything to me. God I thank you! 💞
Do you know what today is? It's my Liferversary. 💙💛
#SepsisSurvivor
What an incredible honor to stand alongside
@VoteGloriaJ
as she announced her candidacy for US Senate today! Her commitment to representing working people, women's rights, advocating for common-sense gun reform, and fighting for people and NOT special interests shows her
At a time when our city cut ties w/ CoreCivic & our country is coming to a racial reckoning, I can't fathom a leader of a D9 Sorority AND President of an HBCU located in the 37208 zip code(a zip code often referenced regarding their incarceration rates) would join their Board 2/4
Twas the night before election & all thru the Ville, politicos projecting, "It's about to get real." Victories & runoffs & parties galore, candidates wishing for a few votes more. In 24 hrs, what results will yield? Nashville showed up to Vote Porterfield! *Snap Snap*
#Barz
😂
Fighting for a better future means stepping into our moral responsibility to speak up. I’m proud to stand with hundreds of local leaders calling for peace!
#CeaseFireNOW
Today, 190+ local elected officials across the country released an open letter to the Biden-Harris admin & Congress calling for a ceasefire.
#CeasefireNOW
FULL LETTER:
My reaction caught on camera, as I listened to some of the findings presented at
@1City4AllPeople
board meeting last night. Kudos to the staff & private counsel for a thorough investigation, and for presenting the fact in a very clear & understandable manner.
No one is coming to save us - We are the leaders we have been waiting on. WE have to organize. WE have to fight. WE have to Stand Up. WE have to speak out. WE all we got and WE can change this together.
@VoteBo
It was eye opening to me to stand with you,
@OdessaKellyTN
,
@DelishiaForNash
as we waited to see our kids after the lockdown. The people fighting to protect my kids also in the trenches waiting… we are truly in this together.
The level of disrespect is MIND-BLOWING. Rep.
@Justinjpearson
spoke against SB1596 & on the historic racism & underfunding of
@TSUedu
His colleagues were 🗣️ so loud to drown him out BUT you can't drown out the TRUTH. As soon as he was done speaking, they were noticably more quiet
Yep! Mins after
@brotherjones_
entered the well, Senator
@CharlaneOliver
called me and we immediately got to work. I had just left the protest and was dropping kids back off at school. This was a labor of love and a commitment by us to our democracy and our constituents. 💙
I'm usually not one to elbow into a convo but the historical record must be told. Many who supported
@brotherjones_
did so behind the scenes well before the day of expulsion. When rumors of expulsion began the Thurs of the House floor protest I immediately called
@DelishiaTN
@AnnaCaudill4
I kept thinking of the Covenant families. I know we are blessed because it was a "hoax" or "unfounded" but this trauma is not ok. We can't live like this. We all collectively deserve better.
We hugged & cried as we watched democracy die and our rights being stripped away. All I could think was, "What do I tell my daughter?" Why do we do THIS work if it can be so easily taken away? What's the point of voting or being elected if they can take it from you so easily? 3/
I also wept for the 78k people in HD52, most of whom don't even know what happened today. That their duly elected Representative was ousted for demanding action and common sense gun reform and for standing for us and with us. 5/
Freddie vs. An Empty Seat. Thank you CM O'Connell for showing up for the people - the same way you have shown up for the last 8 yrs on council. The same way you're going to show up as Mayor. 💪🏼
#Ready
@freddieoconnell
I am crying tears of joy. Progress should not take this long but at times it does. Thank you to everyone who spoke out and spoke up! NBF will be leaving TN's State Capitol. 😭😭😭
@shaunking
FINALLY. Today, TN’s Historical Commission voted to remove the monument of a KKK leader from our Capitol. This has been a long struggle y’all. And the vote today didn’t just happen on its own. People power made it happen. Sadly, some lawmakers are still fighting removal. Onward.
I'm sleeping in my home for the first time since Sept 1st or so. I'm sleeping on the floor, with no heat🙃 but I'm home! 💙💛🙌🏼
Over the last 6mo, I've lived in the Nations, Donelson, WeHo, East Nashville & about 3 different hotels. Displacement is stressful even when temporary.
I appreciate folks wanting to step up&serve & believe in their good intentions but hearing candidates speak when they are ill informed is SCARY. Too many folks have had 0 interest in Metro gov & now want to run it. Many things they say they'll do we are preempted or we already do
His intentions were clear. He wanted it to look like a protester/Rally attendee randomly assaulted him & that is exactly what others who didn't see him chasing the unhoused man thought. He was waiting on the police to file a report. He was playing victim when he was the aggressor
I think more people are watching the Senate Hearing than ever before. I hope today empowers people more than ever. Run for office. Make a change. Elections have consequences. Vote the traitors out. You can make a difference.
🗣️ And the children shall lead them! This crowd, of mostly students, showed up to DEMAND common sense gun reform. There will be more today at 4 PM. Stand with them as they stand for us!
@People4Bernie
Help us God.
Please go vote.
Donate. Volunteer. Vote.
Vote him out.
State of Emergency.
Save our democracy.
Are you registered?
Plan to vote!
Let's save America.
That was unsettling.
45 signaled supremacists.
45 didn't denounce.
We need help.
Vote! Vote! Vote!
BREAKING: 3-judge chancery court panel rules that Metro is likely to win on home rule arguments, grants temporary injunction against cutting Metro Council from 40 to 20
Good morning Metro Teachers, now the highest paid in the State.Good Morning to MNPS support staff; our lowest paid employees, who after YEARS of fighting, FINALLY have the much needed 7 paid professional days.Good morning to the employees who missed 5 steps but got 2 last night💪🏽
I was finally able to get in the gallery, just as the hearing started. I was overcome w/ emotion. My daughter was down below chanting while I sat inside crying & watching. By the time the vote happened, hrs later, she was able to make her way to me right as they took the vote. 2/
My 16 yo is listening to session. On 1 hand, I'm proud of how civically engaged she is. On the other, I'm sad that she *HAS* to. She's very concerned about teachers being allowed to carry guns in classrooms. She participated in today's teach in & is organizing tomorrow's protest.
How do I explain to her that what we do IS important and not to give up? To rise above the hate. To scream when they try to silence you. To go down fighting. We talk about the importance of voting and of our democracy - how do I justify that after today? I wept for her. 4/
People keep asking my thoughts on the Mayor and the Council. It's simple. I wish everyone the best. When
@JohnCooper4Nash
Mayor-Elect Cooper succeeds, Nashville succeeds. When the Council does well, our city does well.
I'm Domonica Bryan, and I’m running for Tennessee State Senate District 6 so our kids can be safe in their classrooms, for women to have reproductive freedom, and so much more.
Can you pitch in $5 to help us grow our campaign? Donate below! ⬇️