These Republicans just can't let go of their
commitment to maintaining hierarchies in this country, and anyone who
opposes them is the enemy.
Tennessee lawmakers on Tuesday approved a
last-minute amendment to remove $250,000 allocated to the city of
Memphis as punishment for the removal of Confederate monuments, which was approved with a 56-31 vote. The
amendment was introduced as a
result of Memphis officials’ decision to remove two controversial
statues on public property last year.
Defending the amendment, Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, argued that "bad actions" have "bad consequences."
Rep. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, called the amendment "un-Christian. This amendment and the explanation is hateful, it is unkind, it is un-Christian and it is unfair," she said. Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, called it the most "vile, racist"
effort he had seen and said Republicans viewed Forrest "as if he was
God."
