Nashville leaders decry Nazi demonstrations, honor icons John Lewis, James Lawson at vigil

Candles lit up overcast skies Wednesday as dozens of people gathered to honor the late Rev. James Lawson and Congressman John Lewis and decry recent Neo-Nazi demonstrations and hate in Nashville.

Prior to Tuesday's Metro Council meeting, about a dozen members of a Neo-Nazi group Whites Against Replacement caused dissention by spewing hateful comments that forced police to clear the gallery. Councilmembers used time during the meeting to condemn recent displays of anti-Semitic hatred in Nashville.

Community leaders, activists and Nashvillians were ready Wednesday for another round of hatred as dozens celebrated Lewis, who died four years ago on July 17, and Lawson, who died last month.

But that wasn't the case. The peace held, and community members were able to honor the iconic activists.

Poetry, music and a celebration that Nashville stands against hate echoed in the Diane Nash Plaza at City Hall.

Sarah Anderson, a student at Middle Tennessee State University, said she felt the power of the activists that came before her. She read a poem to honor the work of Lawson and Lewis.

"Hold the echoes of their progress and plaques placed on our wall. Memorialize their impact in our eyes so each time we look at one who struggles, compassion seeps out of us," Anderson said, reading an excerpt from her poem.

Hope is a reality, Anderson continued, saying those who paved the way did so for everyone.

Anderson was joined by several speakers during the event.

Nashville Councilmember Zulfat Suara called Lawson and Lewis beacons in a dark world.

"Their legacies continue to inspire us to carry forward," Suara said. "We must also confront the darkness they fought against, the darkness of hate. Hate manifests in many forms, from not only overt acts of violence and discrimination, but also indifference to the suffering of others.

Who was the Rev. James Lawson?

Lawson was an architect of Nashville's lunch counter sit-ins and helped launch a nationwide movement.

Lawson died June 9. He was 95.

The activist inspired a generation of nonviolent activists in the earliest days of the Civil Rights Movement by pushing to desegregate lunch counters in Nashville.

A minister, professor, activist and descendant of enslaved family members, Lawson lived on the principals on nonviolent activism in the face of violence and turmoil, learning from Indian leader Mohandas Gandhi, more commonly known as Mahatma, and marched with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

More: Civil rights advocate James Lawson was rooted in faith

Lawson was imprisoned as a conscientious objector during the Korean War in the early 1950s and was kicked out of Vanderbilt University and arrested for organizing student demonstrations.

He was a civil rights icon that worked with King, Diane Nash and Lewis to promote nonviolent activism.

In 1959, Lawson began leading workshops in nonviolence for young Black students from local Nashville colleges. Among his pupils were students who would soon rise to prominence across the nation — Lewis, Nash, Bernard Lafayette and others.

Who was Congressman John Lewis?

Lewis arrived in Nashville at 17 to study at American Baptist College, but he would bring an activism that changed Nashville forever.

Lewis died July 17, 2020. He was 80.

Like Lawson, Lewis was among the leaders of the sit-ins that desegregated Nashville lunch counters in the 1960s.

Nashville was just the beginning for the congressman. He participated in the Freedom Rides, spoke at the March on Washington and crossed the bridge at Selma before working as a legislator. He received the Presidential Medal of Honor in 2011 for his work.

Suara said when she came into the council meeting Tuesday, three or four people asked her how she was doing following the protest and counter-protest.

"You know why? Because this is Nashville," Suara said, noting that the city's councilmembers stand against hatred.

"Two councilmembers held Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda back during the turmoil," Suara said, "because this is Nashville."

Suara said many councilmembers have diverse backgrounds. Some are Jewish, Christian, Muslim and LGBTQ, and that makes Nashville a place for everyone, she said.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville honors activists Lewis, Lawson at vigil, decries Nazis, hate