Hundreds protest at Tennessee Capitol as undocumented students bill remains in limbo
Hundreds marched across downtown Nashville to the Tennessee Capitol to protest a bill that would ultimately allow Tennessee public schools to deny undocumented children a free education. The bill has been the most controversial of this legislative session and faces an uncertain path forward.
Several children led the way as the march began in Public Square Park around 12:30 p.m. April 14 carrying a banner that read "education is a right," marked with dozens of handprints in multi-colored paint.
The protesters chanted as they worked their way to the Capitol, flanked by police and guides in neon vests.
The chants included things like: "Whose kids? Our kids?" and "What do we want? Education! When do we want it? Now!"
Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said she was moved by how many turned out on the 85-degree day. Several advocates from other states also gathered for the rally.
"They recognize that the fight is not just about Tennessee," she said.
Top GOP leaders in the Tennessee legislature said the bill is an attempt to challenge a longstanding U.S. Supreme Court decision that requires free and equal education for all students, regardless of immigration status.
The House signaled Monday the bill could be in trouble.
In a finance subcommittee, the bill was placed "behind the budget," where hundreds of bills a year are moved when they haven't received financial approval in the central budget appropriations.
Moving behind the budget is often a death sentence for a bill. The bill has backing from some of the most powerful Republicans in the chamber, though, and the legislation is still procedurally alive.
Still, the bill may be running out of time. Though leadership says they'll take whatever time they need to wrap up the remainder of legislative session, the general consensus around the Capitol is both chambers hope to conclude by next week as soon as the budget is approved.
Additionally, the House and Senate versions of the bill remain at odds. The Senate passed its version of the bill on April 10 as protesters filled the gallery and the Capitol halls. But even if the House version survives to a full floor vote, the Senate and House would likely have to go into a negotiation committee to hash out their differences.
To date, neither the Senate nor the House sponsor of the bills have indicated they're willing to compromise on a core tenet of the legislation: whether or not Tennessee schools should be mandated to collect immigration status proof.
Along the way Monday, the group stopped to rally at Beth Harwell Plaza and the steps of the Capitol before marching a few laps around the building as they chanted. Several immigrants, including children, advocates and others, spoke during the rally as it progressed.
Logan Nichols, 8, took a moment to sit in the shade with his mom and younger sister. He lives in the Tusculum neighborhood in Nashville and has friends and neighbors from other countries.
"I wanted to come because I didn't like that everyone from other countries couldn't get an education," he said. "It's pretty horrible."
Elena Roser, an Ashland City resident who retired in 2018 after teaching for 45 years, walked along with the crowd as it snaked its way through town. She said when children are denied an education, the consequences extend far beyond them and into society as a whole.
"I think this issue is really about creating wedges between people and fear," she said. "It really has no basis in reality."
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee undocumented students bill: Hundreds protest at Capitol
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