Nashville Justice League launches to help progressive city council candidates

The Nashville Justice League, a political action committee comprised of  progressive organizations, is relaunching in time to support candidates in the Aug. 3 Metro Nashville municipal elections.

Founded in 2019 by the Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, TIRRC Votes and The Equity Alliance, the organization executed grassroots campaigns on behalf of 15 candidates for Metro Nashville Council, 13 of whom won. The NJL’s website says it works for candidates “who stand up for civil rights, workers’ rights, and immigrant rights,” representing Nashville’s  diverse, underserved, working class communities.

“This election comes at a pivotal time in our city for working families,” said Vonda McDaniel, president of the Central Labor Council. “If we don’t elect the right mix of champions, we risk losing our city to developers, greedy corporations, and a rogue state legislature.”

Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of TIRRC Votes, the social welfare arm of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said “For years extremists in the state legislature have tried to tell us how to live, love, and lead while local officials sold our neighborhoods to the highest bidder. New Americans and longtime Nashvillians alike make this city great. By coming together to vote for progressive champions, we can make sure our leaders fight for our values, defend our democracy, and build a welcoming city that works for all of us.”

Nashville Justice League has not endorsed candidates for the upcoming Metro Nashville yet, but will have a kickoff event at 6 p.m. on July 10 at Roasted in Nashville’s Salemtown neighborhood.

NJL-endorsed candidates who won in 2019 include Metro Councilmembers at Large Bob Mendes and Zulfat Suara and district Councilmembers Russ Bradford, Sandra Sepulveda and Ginny Welsch.