CALL TO ACTION! TENNESSEE DEMANDS RESPONSIBLE REPRESENTATION

This campaign has been going on since Monday, but it is not too late to join in and urge elected officials to not support the Southern National Congress.

Tennessee Anti-Racist Network

This is a short term, time sensitive, phone and email campaign to urge Tennessee elected officials (Sen. Nicely (R) Dist-8 and Rep. Matheny (R) Dist-47) to withdraw their endorsement of the racist organization Southern National Congress (SNC) by canceling their speaking engagement at SNC’s convention Nov. 1 – 3, 2013.

The Southern National Congress is a white nationalist group with a militant wing called League of the South. They are trying to gain a foothold in Tennessee and have enlisted state legislators to legitimize their ideal of a whites-only South.

Campaign is active this week: Monday, October 28th – Friday, November 1. Please make your call and send emails as early in the week as possible.

TN Anti-Racist Network does not accept any form or appearance of racism in public service. Elected officials should demonstrate a deep and meaningful commitment to equality, and at the least should not openly endorse white supremacy and minority inferiority. These legislators’ choice to speak at this gathering gives the appearance that they, and their constituents, support the SNC’s ideas of white superiority and secession from the United States. They should not support the growth of hate groups in Tennessee through speaking engagements that falsely legitimize racist ideas and action. Racism is a community issue, and anti-racism is a community responsibility.

FACT SHEET

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
1. Call and email the targets. Sample script and email follows, as well as contact information. The phone in campaign is uploaded at phonebank.org (http://phonebank.org/campaign/tennessee-demands-responsible-representation) which will walk you through your calls. It’s very easy to use! Please don’t forget to send your email, even if you call! You can choose to participate in the call in anonymously, but be aware that any email communications with state officials are public record.

2. Share your efforts and any responses by taking notes on phonebank.org; posting on the FB event page; or sending info to [email protected].

3. Spread the word! Create a meme; invite locals who live in Nicely and Matheny’s districts; write a letter to the editor; share the event with your friends; participate in discussion/white papers on Hate Speech vs. Free Speech; find a creative way to contribute using your talents and interests!

4. If you are a constituent of these officials, point that out in your phone call and email!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Rep. Matheny, District 47, R – Tullahoma, Coffee and part of Warren Counties.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/house/members/h47.html
Email: [email protected]n.gov
Phone: 615-741-7448 Fax: 615-253-0226

Senator Frank Nicely, District 8, R – Strawberry Plains
Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, and Union Counties
http://www.tnsenate.com/members-1/senator-frank-niceley
Email: sen.frank.niceley@capitol.tn.gov
Phone: 615-741-2061

SAMPLE PHONE SCRIPT to call Senator Nicely and Representative Matheny: Phone calls are more effective than emails. Note the name of the person you speak with. If you get voice mail, leave a message.

“My name is ___. I’m calling to urge Senator Nicely/Representative Matheny to do the right thing and cancel his presentation at the Southern National Congress convention, Nov. 1 – 3.

Does he know that the SNC leadership and Board of Directors is composed of members of a recognized Extremist Hate Group (League of the South)?

I think it’s inappropriate and dangerous for Senator Nicely/Rep Matheny to be working as a legislative adviser to an organization that represents an Extremist Hate Group. According to the FBI, groups that “preach hatred and intolerance plant the seeds of terrorism here in our country”, so I’m asking him to cancel his scheduled talk at the SNC convention, and to stand with Tennesseans who value racial and religious harmony. Can I count on Sen. Nicely/Rep Matheny to make a common sense decision and cancel his presentation at the SNC convention?”

SAMPLE EMAIL (or compose your own message!):

Subject Line: Cancel Your Southern National Congress Presentation!
bcc: [email protected]

“Dear Senator Nicely/Representative Matheny:

I’m writing to urge you to cancel your scheduled appearance at the Southern National Congress convention, November 1 – 3. Are you aware that the SNC leadership is composed of members of a recognized extremist Hate Group, League of the South?

According to the FBI, groups that “preach hatred and intolerance plant the seeds of terrorism here in our country.” FBI statistics show that 144 Hate Crimes were committed in TN in 2011 (http://1.usa.gov/1cea6WW). Tennessee is home to over 30 recognized Hate Groups.

The Southern National Congress and League of the South are trying to legitimize themselves by cloaking themselves with legislators who may not know the close relationship between the SNC and extremist white supremacist hate group League of the South. Your speak
ing engagement with SNC creates a false sense of credibility for this group, legitimizing their racist worldview, and will embolden their efforts to use Tennessee as a recruiting ground for racial and religious hate.

Common sense tells me it is inappropriate and dangerous for elected officials to legitimize Extremist Hate Groups by speaking at their events. Your presence at this conference sends the wrong message to the Tennessee public.

Please do the right thing and cancel your scheduled appearance.

Sincerely, YOUR NAME”