The Williamson County Democratic Party stands in solidarity with public school teachers across Tennessee, especially those in Williamson County. Yesterday, a Channel 5 news report aired showing Governor Bill Lee, a graduate of Franklin High School in Williamson County, nodding his head in agreement while Hillsdale College President, Dr. Larry Arnn, openly mocked public school teachers at an event for charter school supporters. Below are statements from WCDP Chair Dr. Jenn Foley and WCDP Vice Chair Courtenay Rogers regarding the matter.

Candidate Spotlight: Erin Crawford
Williamson County Commissioner, District 12

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Candidate Spotlight: Courtenay Rogers
Williamson County Commission, District 10

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Candidate Spotlight:  Robert “Bob” Britton
Williamson County School Board – District 4

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Candidate Spotlight: Deborah Campbell Sparks

Williamson County Clerk

Candidate Spotlight:  Laura Stendel
School Board, Franklin Special School District

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Statement from WCDP Chair, Dr. Jenn Foley

June has been a busy month for the WCDP as we supported several community events - Franklin Pride and Juneteenth - as sponsors and vendors, and celebrated our Democratic candidates with a community picnic. While we enjoyed these signs of progress in Williamson County, we knew that it would only be a matter of time before forces of ignorance and hate tried to push back. 

Since the Pride Festival on June 4th there has been an orchestrated effort to prevent future events by flooding the Mayor of Franklin’s office with hateful complaints about the festival, performers and attendees. The people and groups behind these efforts want to silence our LGBTQ+ community and intimidate and pressure elected officials into denying permits for future events. 

On Saturday, June 18th, while thousands of Williamson County residents celebrated the 2nd annual Juneteenth festival, a white supremacist hate group showed up to intimidate and terrorize the community. The group was dispersed by Franklin Police but as of this moment, not a single elected official from Franklin or Williamson County has condemned the presence of this group. So it falls upon each one of us to speak out. We should all be alarmed that a white supremacist hate group felt comfortable showing up in downtown Franklin and that they received honks of support from many of our neighbors. 

We must contact Franklin Mayor Ken Moore, the City of Franklin Aldermen, Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson and Williamson County Commissioners in support of the Franklin Pride festival and urge them to condemn the hate group because their silence signals permission and acceptance. 

Contacting our elected officials is the very least we can do, but we also must ask ourselves: what more could we be doing to further the cause of equity and inclusion in Williamson County? 

• Speak to your Republican friends and family about these events and encourage them to speak out to elected officials too
• Become a recurring donor to groups doing the work like the Hard Bargain Association, the Franklin Justice and Equity Coalition, the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County, One WillCo, Williamson Strong, and WCDP
• If you can’t donate money perhaps you can donate your time or talents. All of these groups need help and an hour of your time each week can make a difference
• Donate your time and money to candidates who will speak out against hate. Once they are elected they will be able to enact policies that make Williamson County more equitable and inclusive. Candidates need your time and money to help reach voters before the August and November elections 
• Vote for candidates who reflect your values. Your vote matters and every election matters. 

The people and groups fighting so hard to prevent marginalized groups from being seen and heard in Williamson County are acting out of ignorance and fear. Celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of our Black and LGBTQ+ community, as well as listening with open minds and hearts to their experiences, enhances our community and makes us stronger. I am proud to be raising my children in Williamson County and we chose to move here for the schools, parks and community events that we ALL enjoy. Hate has no place in Williamson County and we all have the power to build a community where people of all races, religions and identities feel safe, welcome and valued. 

The WCDP proudly supported the 2nd annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 18th in Downtown Franklin. This annual event presented by the Franklin Justice and Equity Coalition, is a joyful celebration of Black history, businesses and the men and women who have contributed to the Williamson County community. Volunteers at our vendor booth registered voters, helped voters figure out their voting districts and shared information about the candidates on the ballot. We were thrilled to see the community turnout and support this wonderful event. 

Kisha Davis, TN House District 63 candidate	Wanda & Bill Graham
Jenn Foley, WCDP Chair & LaRhonda Williams, County Commission District 1 Candidate	Stickers we handed out to remind everyone to vote in 2022