Press Advisory: Tennessee Leaders Host Press Conference Condemning Republican Supermajority’s Legislative Attempt to Silence Voters and Disenfranchise Black Tennesseans

NASHVILLE -- TODAY, Tuesday, May 5, a unified coalition of elected officials and community leaders from across Tennessee will gather at Beth Harwell Plaza at the Tennessee State Capitol for a press conference condemning the Tennessee Republican Supermajority's special legislative session to redraw the state's Congressional districts so they can seize more power, control our elections, and suppress the votes of Black and brown Tennesseans, especially those who call Memphis home.

WHAT: Press Conference

WHEN: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 12:15 PM CT

WHERE: Beth Harwell Plaza, 410 Rep. John Lewis Way N, Nashville, TN 37219

WHO: Elected officials and community leaders from across Tennessee including:

- Congressman Steve Cohen, U.S. House of Representatives, District 9

- Tequila Johnson, Executive Director of The Equity Alliance Fund

- Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell

- Lisa Sherman Luna, Executive Director of TIRRC Votes

- Francie Hunt, Executive Director of Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood

- Rep. Justin J. Pearson, State House Representative, District 86

WHY: Millions of us call Tennessee home. Every community from Memphis to Nashville, and every county in between, deserves a fair voice in the decisions that shape our lives. A rushed special session to redraw congressional maps mere months before elections threatens to confuse Tennessee voters, break apart communities, and weaken representation before Tennesseans have a meaningful chance to respond.

The message from Tennesseans is clear: Voters should choose their leaders. Politicians should not choose their voters.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

Members of the press are invited to attend.

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