A Democrat Tennessee state senator has called for “riots” in response to a pro-police bill that was passed by the Republican majority.
State Sen. Charlane Oliver, who represents Nashville, said the Republicans’ pro-police legislation is “rooted in racism.”
In a statement, Oliver warned that “riots are the language of the unheard” while vowing that people in her district will take to the streets and “fight like hell.”
The bill was sponsored by Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor.
It was introduced after Memphis passed an ordinance that banned traffic stops for issues such as expired registrations, a single inoperable headlight or brake light, and loose bumpers, News Channel 3 reported.
The Memphis city council passed the ordinance following the death of Tyre Nichols, a black man.
Nichols was fatally injured during a confrontation with five black Memphis police officers on January 7, 2023, after he was pulled over.
The state Senate passed Taylor’s bill by a vote of 26-6.
“It is a slap in the face and you might as well stomp on the grave of Tyre Nichols,” Oliver said after the bill passed.
“Yes, we are emotionally charged.
“Why? Because it’s personal for us.
“Taylor made this personal the minute he introduced this legislation to target one family and one life that was lost.”
“So yeah, we gonna fight,” Oliver added.
“Dr. King said that riots are the language of the unheard.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet,” she warned.
“If you keep silencing us like this, what do you think our district is going to do?
“We have had it up here. Gloves are off,” the Democrat threatened.
“Like, we gonna fight like hell.
“You don’t expect us to respond when you gaslight us every single day with these bills?”
“It is rooted in racism,” she claimed.
“This is a Jim Crow bill that [Sen. Brent] Taylor brought and all his Confederates voted for it.”
‘Gloves Off:’ Sen. @CharlaneOliver (D-Nashville) Calls for Riots after TN Senate Passes @SenBrentTaylor Pro-Police Bill.
“It is rooted in racism,” Oliver said. “This is a Jim Crow bill that [Sen. Brent] Taylor brought and all his Confederates voted for it.” Video @FOXNashville pic.twitter.com/F7rhyeAwzu
— KWAM News Radio 990 AM Memphis (@Mighty990KWAM) March 15, 2024
The five Memphis police officers who got into the confrontation with Nichols were charged with his death.
Footage from a camera mounted on a nearby pole area showed officers kicking and beating Nichols while he was on the ground.
Last November, one of the five officers pleaded guilty to excessive force and obstruction of justice.
His guilty plea was in exchange for prosecutors recommending a 15-year prison sentence.
Oliver, who has been in office since 2022, co-founded the Equity Alliance.
The Marxist non-profit organization states that it focuses on “education, housing and environmental justice, jobs and economic opportunity, criminal justice and public safety, politics and democracy, and healthcare – as well as reparations.”
Taylor responded to Oliver’s remarks on the legislation, writing:
“Despite your overwhelming support for my bill that prohibits local governments from banning legal routine traffic stops, leftist opposition has been insane and totally out of touch with reality and our community’s demands.”
“I have been hearing from people in Democrat districts who have thanked me for passing this important legislation.
“These community members are tired of crime and bad policies that don’t allow police to do their jobs.”
I have been hearing from people in Democrat districts who have thanked me for passing this important legislation. These community members are tired of crime and bad policies that don’t allow police to do their jobs.
— Senator Brent Taylor (@SenBrentTaylor) March 15, 2024
The bill now heads to Republican Governor Bill Lee’s desk.
Lee has 10 days to either sign or veto the legislation before it becomes law without a signature.
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