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Nashville officials push for laws to limit future neo-Nazi protests

The city saw a series of far-right antisemitic demonstrations in July.

Nashville rally
A rally against antisemitism hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville on July 21, 2024. Credit: Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville.

Leaders in Tennessee’s capital seek to implement measures to constrain the white supremacist activists spreading hate on the city’s streets after a flurry of activity this summer.

WTVF-5 reports that Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, the Metro Council and the city’s Department of Law have collaborated on multiple proposed legal changes.

Measures include requiring buffer zones around demonstrations; prohibiting the display of distracting flags on overpasses; banning the distribution of leaflets on private property; and criminalizing face masks for reasons not exempted from medical, religious or costume purposes.

These efforts come following four demonstrations in the city by the Goyim Defense League on July 6, 14, 15 and 16.

“No family should have to fight this hard to ensure a Jewish child’s safety at school,” James Pasch, vice president of litigation for the ADL, stated.
The partnership is an “indication that elected officials are taking seriously the unprecedented increase in anti-Jewish incidents occurring in schools across our country,” Brandy Shufutinsky of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies told JNS.
FOZ founder Mike Evans said he plans to urge Trump to recognize Somaliland, citing its growing ties with Israel and its decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem.
The former Missouri congresswoman stated that she has pledged to “bring an end to the U.S. military aid to Israel that enables genocide against Palestinians.”
The city’s police chief said that “in order to get paid, they are required to film their attacks.”
“This should worry every parent, teacher and policymaker,” the North American Values Institute stated.