NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dozens of people marched to the Tennessee State Capitol on Wednesday demanding legislators listen to their outcry for change.
The group said they were pushing for changes such as run restrictions, improved access to healthcare, improved voter rights and a stop to the proposed universal school voucher program. That program would let families use public funds to pay for nonpublic education, including private schools and faith-based schools.
The group was led by The Equity Alliance — a Nashville-based advocacy group.
"We are paying these people to take care of us, and they are ignoring us,” one of the demonstrators said.
The alliance marched with dozens of people from First Baptist Church to the doors of the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville.
“They want to prohibit how we can learn about our culture and our history and our state. They want to prohibit the study of repressions in our state and we’re not having it,” said Jess Williams, the Equity Alliance Director of Growth and Engagement.
The group also said it is asking legislators to change bills that would allow teachers to carry guns in schools. They also said the universal school voucher program would effectively take money away from public schools, further straining the state's public school system.
“We vote these people in to work for us, not against us,” another person said. “We vote these people in to make sure that all of our families can thrive.
When the group arrived at the Capitol, they learned that the House session was canceled. Republican representatives said the House session was canceled to give the Finance, Ways and Means Committee more time to work through the budget legislation.
“We know that it is budget season, and we want them to pass a budget that is fit for us that takes into account the things our families need,” Williams said.
Another protester said, “They can roll their bills back. They can move meetings, but you can’t stop a movement.”
The group said it would continue pushing for change until laws are passed that show legislators are listening to the people.