'We get to shine no matter what': Children's choir sings at TN Capitol ahead of special session

Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

In the blazing afternoon sun on the steps of the Legislative Plaza at the Tennessee Capitol, the choir of more than two dozen elementary school children sang "This Little Light of Mine."

The gathering, organized by the nonprofits Together Collective and Rise and Shine Tennessee, was meant to send a message to lawmakers to remember the children when they gather on Monday for a special legislative session on public safety.

Organizer Ruby Amanfu, a Grammy-nominated recording artist, led the kids in the singalong followed by a performance of an original piece called “No Courage Without Fear.”

Ruby Amanfu, a Nashville-based Grammy-nominated recording artist, led a choir of children in a singalong outside the state Capitol Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023 ahead of the special legislation on public safety.
Ruby Amanfu, a Nashville-based Grammy-nominated recording artist, led a choir of children in a singalong outside the state Capitol Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023 ahead of the special legislation on public safety.

“At the end of the day, there needs to be a moment like this so our kids feel like they’re not alone,” she said.

The event kicked off what’s expected to be a string of rallies focused on gun control this week as state lawmakers meet to consider several bills.

The special legislative session called by Gov. Bill Lee comes following the deadly mass shooting at Covenant School in March that left six people dead, including three children.

After the tragedy, thousands of demonstrators descended on the state capitol demanding stricter gun laws. Law enforcement is anticipating another round of demonstrations this week.

But they may see little action from the Republican majority on gun control.

While Lee's proclamation calling the special session includes a wide range of topics for lawmakers to consider related to crime, juvenile offenders and mental health, just two pertain to guns specifically.

One plan would allow lawmakers to create incentives for safe gun storage, while the other would allow lawmakers to file a proposal aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people.

Whatever they decide, Amanfu said she also wants to send a message to children.

“There are things in our lives that can sometimes make us mad or sad or scared, we feel that too, but in the midst of that don’t ever let anyone tell you you’re not a light,” she said to the kids at the Capitol. “We get to shine no matter what.”

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ahead of Tennessee special session, Ruby Amanfu leads children's choir