Early voting is Friday, July 17th, through August 1st, when voters will be using the Knox County Election Commission’s new “paper ballot” system. The paper system replaces the electronic voting machines. KNOXVILLE, TN (July 13, 2020)— Approved in December, the change comes right on time considering the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the paper ballots, the community…
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Who will you send to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 15? (Atty. Troy Jones is also on the ballot as an independent. (The Enlightener didn’t find a picture to post, nor did he respond to the invitation.) Knoxville, TN (July 7, 2020) – The East Tennessee…
Nashville, TN (July 7, 2020) – Gov. Lee is convening a meeting of the State Capitol Commission on Thurs, July 9th to discuss removal of the bust. The commission’s decision will then be forwarded to the Historical Commission. If the latter agrees, the bust may be removed. To share your opinion contact Gov. Lee at: email…
Citizen’s Perspective By Taru Taylor, submitted The American Negro is a prisoner of war. Of the race war started by Portuguese and Spanish conquistadors, and furthered by English, Dutch, and French pirates. We were Africans whom Europeans uprooted and brought to the New World and enslaved, notwithstanding the Maroons who never submitted to white mastery….
CITIZEN’S VOICE “We Charge Genocide” is a historic petition for relief from the United States Government’s Crime of Genocide against Negro People. It was presented in 1951 to the United Nations, Secretary-General Trygve Halvdan Lie. The world ignored it then, as now. OP-ED By John Burl Smith Although I was a pre-teen in 1951, living in Memphis, I…
By Patricia Williams James Mackler is on the ballot for TN Senator to replace retiring lifelong politician, Republican Senator Lamar Alexander who has held the position since 2003. Mackler is a fighter for his family, his state, and his countrymen. After the 9/11/2001 attack on American ground, Mackler left his law practice and enlisted in…
Washington, D.C. – Although the motion passed 319-96, the Republican Congressman sent from Knoxville, Tennessee voted against it. Public Law No: 116-91 (12/19/2019) Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act or the FUTURE Act This bill permanently authorizes funding for minority-serving institutions of higher education and increases the authorization of appropriations for Pell…
“June is Pride Month, and earlier this week we won a huge victory in the fight for equal rights…” -James Mackler The Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQ+ Americans cannot be fired on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. It’s an important step in the right direction, but there is still work to be…
We see you and we thank Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood. CAPTION: Tennessee Representatives Vincent Dixie, Bob Freeman, Gloria Johnson, and Larry Miller have championed the rights of Tennessean’s access to reproductive health care, counseling, and support. To send a personal message of appreciation to these legislators click here; To learn more about the…
Patricia Williams, ETE Editor Knoxville, TN (June 2020) – His mother died years ago, but in his last breaths, pleas in desperation, George Floyd cried out to his Moma. How much submission, surrender, and desperation is needed for a police officer to feel safe. In total submission, he pleaded “officer, officer please, I can’t breathe….
This week in sunlight…. TN State Rep. (Dem-Knoxville Dist13) Gloria Johnson’s accounting of the events oflegislation on June 11. By Gloria Johnson, TN State Representative Nashville, TN (June 11, 2020) – I want to tell you a bit about what goes on in the legislature. Please remember that I am honored you sent me there,…
It’s happening tonight! I am running for re-election for State House District-13 so that I can continue to fight for Knoxville’s working families. Please join us for the campaign kick-off tonight at 6pm ET on Zoom or Facebook Live to hear from special guests: LaKenya Middlebrook James Mackler Rep. Craig Fitzhugh! You can RSVP here to receive…
Minneapolis, MN (June 2, 2020)— Amidst the peaceful protesting over the killing of George Floyd, CBS News and Fox 9 have confirmed that most of the rioters and violent protesters in Minneapolis are linked to white supremacist groups. According to the Department of Safety Commissioner John Harrington, most of the arrests are in fact linked to white nationalist…
Sunrise Movement Knoxville endorses Matthew Park, a progressive democrat for Tennessee State House D-15 Seat. Knoxville, TN (June 10, 2020) – The Sunrise Knoxville movement has endorsed democratic candidate Matthew Park for State House Dist. 15 in the upcoming primary election on August 6, 2020. In a unanimous vote, the membership of Sunrise Knoxville stated,…
St. John’s Episcopal Church Rector Gini Gerbasi shares her first-hand account of the events in front of the church leading up to Trump’s arrival for a photo opp. Volunteers and members of the BLM medic team were providing a respite, neutral ground for marchers before allegedly being forced from church grounds by officers in full riot gear. “Friends,…
NAACP and Ed Gordon Media sponsoring a virtual town hall with the 2020 democratic nominee for President and former vice-president Joe Biden. If you can’t watch live view at your convenience. Baltimore, MD (June 8, 2020) – Baltimore NAACP in partnership with Ed Gordon Media, hosted a Virtual Town Hall featuring Former Vice President Joe…
The LGBTQ+ movement borrowed directly from the Civil Rights movement, and we’re paying it back. Donate to KnoxPride and we’ll match up to $1000 to Alcoa-Blount NAACP, Sleeves 4 Needs, and The Women LLC. Alcoa, TN (June 7, 2020) – Blount County activist and Knox Pride chairman of Community Outreach Nathan Higdon issued the following…
“The Negro only wanted an opportunity to be a man and then he would manifest his ability to accomplish great things.” – W.E.B. DuBois speaking at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Knoxville, July 23, 1914. KNOXVILLE, TN (June 5, 2020) – Renee Kesler, Director of Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Ave. issued a…
Rally: “Let Justice Ring” Sunday, June 7, 6-7 pm; Assembly at the MLK Center in Alcoa at 5 pm. The Alcoa Blount County NAACP in partnership with Blount County United and community churches in our “Let Justice Ring Rally” on Sunday, June 7 at 6 pm at the Blount County Courthouse. The march to the…
Department of Justice Awards Nearly $400 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community Policing Washington, D.C. (June 2, 2020) – The Department of Justice today announced nearly $400 million in grant funding through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The Attorney General announced funding awards…
Knox County Commissioners: (seated L-R) D1 Evelyn Gill, D4 and Chairman Hugh Nystrom, D2 and Vice-Chair Michele Carringer, D9 Carson Dailey, D7 Charles Busler. Standing L-R: D3 Randy Smith, D6 Brad Anders, At-large Seat 10 Larsen Jay, D5 John Schoonmaker, At-large seat 11 Justin Biggs, D8 Richie Beeler. Each Knox County Commissioner serves all Knox Countians…
NATIONWIDE (May 2020) – Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and former 2020 presidential candidate . Although she didn’t reign as the nominee, she continues to her work for the betterment of working and middle class Americans. Warren has endorsed candidates across the country who are recognized proven leaders in the fight to equalize the distribution of…
(Editor’s note: This does not imply that Lauren Rider or any other member of the Knoxville City Council have committed their support for candidate Rowland. It only emphasizes that the two entities’ mutually support Medicaid expansion in the State of Tennessee.) Candidate Elizabeth Rowland for TN State House, and Knoxville City Council members support Medicaid…
“The Voice” winner Chris Blue headlines the event with dinner provided by “America’s Friendliest Place” Yassin’s Falafel House KNOXVILLE, TN – It isn’t every day that a candidate for state office throws a gala fundraising event by encouraging everyone to stay home. But that’s exactly what Jane George, the District 6 candidate for Tennessee State Senate, is doing in…