Elected officials must condemn shameful behavior at school board meeting | Opinion

• Dr. Jenn Foley is the chair and Courtenay Rogers is the vice chair of the Williamson County Democratic Party,

Williamson County has received a great deal of negative attention from national and international media outlets recently due to a very loud but small group of people who have turned our public school board meetings into a circus. As former candidates for public office and mothers who are raising our children here, we know this contingent of residents is not representative of our broader community and the values we hold dear. Some of their antics are comical (i.e., claims of masks causing brain herpes), but others, like loudly booing during public comments or threatening doctors and school board members in the parking lot, have a more chilling effect. 

We have heard from many residents in Williamson County, especially people of color, who are afraid to voice their opinions about policies and even run for local office because they do not want to be targets of bullying, harassment and intimidation. Every resident should feel safe exercising their right to openly express their views on policy matters, a privilege that is the backbone of our participatory democracy.

The Williamson County Democratic Party has called upon our local and state elected officials to publicly condemn the threatening behavior on display at the school board meeting on Aug. 10. To date, not a single official has issued a public statement. In fact, state Sen. Jack Johnson embraced this incivility by featuring one of the protestors at a recent fundraiser. 

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As the newly elected chair and vice chair of the Williamson County Democratic Party, we are taking a stand against the bullies in our community who would suppress the voices of residents and stifle democracy. We will do so by amplifying diverse voices and mobilizing our members to recruit, support and elect Democrats at every level of office. Differences of opinion on public policy do not have to lead to partisan war. Instead, if we would all listen to each other with respect and civility, we might find better solutions to the problems our communities face. 

We will not stand for this hateful rhetoric in our community, and neither should you. Our children are watching, and we plan to leave a legacy of hope, empathy, kindness and respect for all in Williamson County. We call on you to join us. 

Dr. Jenn Foley is the chair and Courtenay Rogers is the vice chair of the Williamson County Democratic Party,