Stand Up Nashville (SUN), the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), and The Equity Alliance (TEA) have founded a new coalition, Shift Nashville. Formed by some of the city’s leading social and racial justice leaders in anticipation of November 5’s transit referendum, Shift Nashville was created to support the transit plan and make sure the allocation of public dollars addresses the most urgent needs of residents and to build trust with Black, Brown, and Immigrant communities by centering their needs in the language, funding, and decision-making involved in the ongoing development of the transit plan.
To outline and expound their position, the group held a press conference and community event on August 29 at the TIRRC Event Center.
Stand Up Nashville’s Executive Director Odessa Kelly said: “We believe this can be a transformative cultural moment for Nashville, but only if it truly reflects the needs and aspirations of those with the most dire needs. That’s why we’ve come together as a coalition—to educate residents on all the possibilities that can be unlocked through intentional transit planning. This is a real opportunity to benefit all Nashville residents, not just those who hold wealth, power, and positions of authority.”
“Regardless of where you were born, the language you speak, or your zip code, all Nashvillians deserve to enjoy and access opportunities and resources in our city. Transit is a wonderful and much-needed investment in our city’s future. We at Shift Nashville are committed to working with our community members and leaders to ensure that all Nashvillians are included in the future of Nashville,” Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition Advocacy Manager Judith Clerjeune said.
According to coalition members, our city is at a crossroads. The upcoming transit referendum offers us an unprecedented opportunity to right some of the wrongs of the past decade and to ensure that the people who built this city finally benefit from the vast wealth and opportunity that Nashville has come to represent.
Equity Alliance CEO Tequila Johnson said: “For this historic investment in Nashville’s infrastructure to truly advance equity and opportunity for all, Black, Brown, Immigrant, and working-class people must have a seat at the table throughout the development process. We’re proud to be a part of the Shift Nashville coalition, working to make our city more accessible and livable for everyone.”
Shift Nashville believes that the new plan must do more than just improve our access to public transportation. It must be intentional about bringing more Black, Brown, Immigrant and working-class families back into the urban core while creating well-paying jobs with safe working conditions, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and so much more.
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