PEACE Act aimed at stopping hate heads to Tennessee governor's desk
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A bill aimed at stopping hate passed the House floor Monday and now heads to Gov. Bill Lee's desk.
The Protecting Everyone Against Crime and Extremism (PEACE) Act stems from the Neo-Nazi marches in downtown Nashville and the targeting of a synagogue by anti-Semitic groups last year.
The bill would make it illegal to leave hate-filled flyers in neighborhoods, hang banners from overpasses and bridges, ride in the back of a box truck, refuse to give one's name or give the wrong name to police, and getting within 25 feet of an officer after being asked to back up.
Sen. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) told News 2 in January that he started working on the PEACE Act last July and met with Republicans, Democrats, police, the Davidson County District Attorney, Jewish community leaders, and others to get their feedback.
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'When there are protests and such, I want to protect their First Amendment right that they can protest, they can do it, but they have to do it in a respectful and peaceful way,' Sen. Pody said. 'There shouldn't be discrimination from anybody.'
While the bill is focused on peace, lawmakers' debate on the House floor Monday became anything but when Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) blamed House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) for making Neo-Nazis feel welcome in the state.
'On October 2022, you stood with the Proud Boys outside this Capitol, a hate group that we are targeting. Do you take responsibility, Rep. William Lamberth, for welcoming hate groups to Tennessee?' Rep. Jones said. 'You don't need a policy; a law. What you need is a mirror. The reality is there is a certain reason white nationalists feel welcome in Tennessee, and a lot of it has to do with the agenda you pushed as the leader of your party.'
Leader Lamberth, the bill's House sponsor, fired back at Jones, calling the term 'white nationalist' racist itself.
'Every time you say white nationalist, it's a racist comment. You're seeing someone based on their ethnicity. It's absolutely 100% racist. When you say nationalist, you speak against Americans who have died for this country. You may not realize this, but every time you say that, you define your fellow Americans and Tennesseans through a racist lens. I stand against racism. I wish you would join us in that,' Leader Lamberth said. 'You may hate every white person, but the rest of us will not stand for racism in this state.'
Republican lawmakers erupted with cheers. Rep. Jones' microphone was then cut off by the Speaker of the House.
'Calling out racism does not make you racist…' Jones said before his mic was muted.
In addition, Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) argued the bill would criminalize protest and expand police power. She pointed out, had the PEACE Act been in effect in Minneapolis in May 2020, the woman who recorded the George Floyd incident would have been 'retroactively thrown in jail.'
'Not only is this bill unconstitutional, but yet you have not included exemptions…'
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The bill passed the House and heads to the governor's desk.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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