HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1008 By Williams A RESOLUTION to denounce and oppose white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups and their actions. WHEREAS, recent tragic events have proven that white nationalism and neo-Nazism remain very real threats to social and racial progress; and WHEREAS, throughout the course of our nation's history, white nationalism has promoted intimidation and violent repression of individuals solely on the basis of their race, ethnicity, religion, or immigration status; and WHEREAS, today, white nationalism has attempted to reinvent itself, self-identifying as the "Alt-Right," yet their present-day rhetoric and terrorism conjure painful memories of our nation's past; and WHEREAS, while free speech and assembly are bedrock values for Americans, white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups promote agendas that are in irreconcilable conflict with our nation's foundational principles of liberty and justice for all; and WHEREAS, white nationalism and neo-Nazism are continuing to grow as menaces to societal order that seek to reignite social animosities, reverse improvements in race relations, divide the nation, and foment hatred, classism, anti-Semitism, and ethnic eradication; and WHEREAS, the white nationalist and neo-Nazi message of racial and social intolerance has led to senseless acts of violence that continue to terrorize members of ethnic, racial, and religious minority communities; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED TENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we strongly denounce and oppose the totalitarian impulses, violent HJR1008 016325 -1- terrorism, xenophobic biases, and bigoted ideologies that are promoted by white nationalists and neo-Nazis. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that our State, the great State of Tennessee, and its people will not tolerate discrimination or hate in any form or manifestation and that we stand united with resolve to promote and ensure equality for all Tennesseans. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that appropriate copies of this resolution be prepared and transmitted to the President of the United States, all members of the United States Senate, all members of the United States House of Representatives, the Governor of the State of Tennessee, and all members of the Tennessee General Assembly. HJR1008 016325 -2-