TN4ALL Day on The Hill

On March 11th, members of MICAH and Tennessee For All joined like-minded Tennesseans for a powerful day of organizing, fellowship, and civic engagement. This gathering provided a meaningful opportunity to exercise our constitutional rights to assemble and voice our concerns directly to elected state officials. 

MICAH Leaders Nikki Jones-Wallace (Left) and Sue Lynn (middle) at the TN4all Rally at Day on the Hill.

The Education for All lobby team met with Representative Johnny Shaw to advocate against two critical bills: HB0793/SB0836, which seeks to overturn Plyler v. Doe and deny immigrant children the right to a public K-12 education, and HB662/SB714, which would establish a state-appointed board of managers with decision-making power over Memphis-Shelby County Schools, effectively disenfranchising local voters. Rep. Shaw expressed his commitment to voting against HB0793/SB0836. While we were unable to secure his support against HB662/SB714, we shared personal stories illustrating the harmful impact these bills would have on our community.

In addition to lobbying, advocates participated in a rally featuring speakers from various organizations, energizing attendees around key issues affecting Tennesseans. The day concluded with participation in education subcommittee meetings, offering valuable insight into legislative priorities and potential future policies.

Day on the Hill was not only an opportunity to make our voices heard but also a chance to engage with lawmakers and gain a deeper understanding of how to advocate for policies that benefit Memphis and Shelby County. Through collective action, we will continue to push for meaningful change and a better future for all Tennesseans.