Lake City, Tenn. (June 2) - Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment, a member-run social justice group in Tennessee, is condemning efforts in the state to commend the controversial Arizona bill (SB 1070) that mandates racial profiling as well as attempts to enact similar legislation that would allow the same unjust practices in Tennessee. Today at 2 p.m., House members will vote on HB 670 and SOCM members say, “Not in Our Backyard!” 

SOCM members oppose both Tennessee HJR 1253 and SB 1141/HB 670. House Joint Resolution 1253, which publicly commends Arizona’s racial profiling bill, is a dangerous gesture to make given the nationwide economic boycott against the Arizona law. Senate Bill 1141 would require every jailer in the state to inspect the citizenship and immigration documents of every person arrested, with no training, funding, or oversight.

“The legislature tossed this bill into the justice system without funding for enforcement. When jailers start to feel the crunch of no time, training or resources to do the job, that’s when they’ll make mistakes. They’ll be tempted to use racial profiling just to get the job done. This is a good example of how bad legislation hurts everybody,” said Cathie Bird, SOCM Board member.

Both bills passed last week with the Senate bill passing by a vote of 28-3 and the House Joint Resolution passing by a vote of 67-27. TODAY at 2 p.m., House members will vote on the House version of 1141 (HB 670). 

To publicly express concern over Arizona and Tennessee’s recent actions and efforts concerning immigration, SOCM members took part in the May 28 candlelight prayer vigil in Knoxville’s Krutch Park.

“Tennessee is not Arizona. They may be okay with knee-jerk laws like this in their backyards, but I don’t want one in mine,” said Bird.

As the threat of racial profiling infiltrating Tennessee law becomes more plausible, SOCM members will continue fighting such unjust efforts.

“Nothing good comes out of making people afraid for their safety or afraid of other people because they are different,” said Todd Shelton, SOCM Anti-Racism Team member.

“We are better off welcoming immigrants, not trying to criminalize them. There are other answers.”

Contact Christina Connally Honkonen, 615.260.4595, to speak with a SOCM spokesperson regarding immigration issues in Tennessee.
 
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