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Knox County Commission votes to condemn hate speech

The resolution condemns intimidation, threats, and calls for violence against any group of citizens. It affirms the rights of protection for the LGBTQ community.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox County Commissioners met Monday,voting in favor of a resolution denouncing hate speech.

The resolution condemns intimidation, threats, and calls for violence against any group of citizens. It also affirms the rights of protection for the LGBTQ community.

"We came together to send a message in writing that it's unacceptable and that all members in our community are entitled to equal protection from the law, equal protection through the law, and we wanted to make sure the community knows it," commissioner Hugh Nystrom said.

This comes after Knox County Sheriff's Detective Grayson Fritts, who is also a pastor of All Scripture Baptist Church, delivered a sermon earlier this month where he said gay people are "freaks" and worthy of death.

RELATED: 'Extremely vile and reprehensible': Knox Co. mayor condemns detective who called for execution of gay people in sermons

The sheriff and other Knox County leaders have since denounced his comments. Fritts is no longer on active duty.

RELATED: Knox Co. sheriff denounces detective's 'vile and hate-filled' sermon at county commission meeting

Fritts' church had planned to hold an event at the Cracker Barrel in Cleveland on June 29 for "small town soul winning." 

The Tennessee Democratic Party sent a letter to the CEO of Cracker Barrel encouraging them not to allow the event to happen.

RELATED: Cracker Barrel bars anti-gay Knox Co. pastor from holding religious event at restaurant

Cracker Barrel responded to the complaint by the TN Democrats saying in part that they will not allow the event to happen at their restaurant.

RELATED: Protesters gather outside church where Knox Co. Sheriff's detective delivered anti-gay sermon

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