A Democratic senator from Tennessee state called for riots after Republican lawmakers passed a pro-police bill.
State Sen. Charlane Oliver was responding to the passage of legislation that would prevent cities from restricting police officers from making certain types of traffic stops.
Speaking to the press on Friday, Oliver, co-founder of the social justice warrior activist group “Equity Alliance”, promised that “we will fight”.
“So yes, we will fight,” Oliver said. “Dr. King said riots are the language of the unheard. You [sic] I haven’t seen anything yet. If you continue to silence us like this, what do our neighborhoods think [sic] you will do it?”
“Gloves off”: Sen. @CharlaneOliver (D-Nashville) Calls for riots after TN Senate passes @SenBrentTaylor Proposed law in favor of the police.
“It’s rooted in racism,” Oliver said. “This is a Jim Crow bill [Sen. Brent] Taylor carried and all his confederates voted for it. video @FOXNashville pic.twitter.com/F7rhyeAwzu
— KWAM News Radio 990 AM Memphis (@Mighty990KWAM) March 15, 2024
“Take your gloves off,” Oliver continued. “Like, we’re going to fight like hell, don’t you expect us to talk back when you gaslight us every single day with these bills?”
Oliver said the bill is “rooted in racism.”
“It’s rooted in racism,” Oliver said. “This is a Jim Crow bill [Sen. Brent] Taylor carried and all his confederates voted for it.
State Sen. London Lamar, also a Democrat, said Republicans passing the bill is “a form of slavery.”
“Sometimes I feel like a slave in this building,” Lamar said. “I’m tired of [sic] The Republican Party expects us as a minority to do what they want, but they treat us disrespectfully. No, we won’t [sic] not anymore… We are at the moment of the session where [sic] take off your gloves.”
“I feel like a slave:” @Senator Lamar (D-Memphis) She says the GOP supermajority is enslaving her because she is a woman of color
“This is a form of slavery,” Lamar said. “Sometimes I feel like a slave in this building.” Video: @FOXNashville pic.twitter.com/NtkokwVZIF
— KWAM News Radio 990 AM Memphis (@Mighty990KWAM) March 15, 2024
Republican Senator Brent Taylor, who sponsored the bill, responded to Oliver’s threats on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“Despite your overwhelming support for my bill prohibiting local governments from banning routine lawful traffic stops, the left-wing opposition has been foolish and totally out of touch with reality and the demands of our community,” he said. written Taylor.
I have heard from people in Democratic districts thanking me for passing this important legislation. These community members are tired of crime and bad policies that don’t allow the police to do their jobs.
— Senator Brent Taylor (@SenBrentTaylor) March 15, 2024
Taylor continued: “Stand with me and the regular citizens who want common sense to prevail. Together, we can make Memphis matter and not empower these out-of-touch radical groups and lawmakers who kowtow to them. Trustworthy. Conservative. Command.”