MAGA lovers are in luck today! Legislators in Tennessee are slated to vote on a bill that would rename certain parts of Nashville’s “Rep. John Lewis Way” to “President Donald Trump Boulevard.”
Rep. John Lewis Way is located on a street that was formerly called 5th Avenue, according to the Daily Caller. It was named after former Rep. John Lewis in 2021. Lewis was known for his political advocacy during the Civil Rights Movement, including leading lunch counter sit-ins.
The bill, HB 1372, was sponsored by Rep. Paul Sherrell of Sparta and State Sen. Frank Niceley. The Daily Caller noted that the Senate version of the bill was brought to light at the beginning of ‘Black History Month.’
Some Democrats expressed fury upon learning about the bill.
“OMG. I have to take a deep breath so as not to swear! What has this state become!” Councilwoman Zulfat Suara posted online. “Do some just wake up and propose the next thing that comes to mind. This is not how to govern. This is ridiculous. We are going to fight this.”
OMG. I have to take a deep breath so as not to swear! What have this state become! Do some just wake up and propose the next thing that comes to mind. This is not how to govern. This is ridiculous. We are going to fight this. #GoodTrouble pic.twitter.com/CJrYcTkYy8
— Councilwoman Zulfat Suara (@zulfat4council) February 3, 2023
Reporters from the Tennessee Holler, a self-proclaimed “progressive news site” that claims it “YELL[S] THE TRUTH” about what is going on in the state, confronted state Sen. Frank Niceley (R) to ask about his reaction to left-wing backlash against the bill.
“John Lewis’ family just called [the bill] a ‘slap in the face,’” said a reporter from the Holler. “What do you think about that?”
Niceley responded by ignoring the questions and blocking the camera with a hat.
WATCH: “John Lewis’ family just called your bill to rename his street after Trump a ‘SLAP IN THE FACE’ — any response?” @SenFrankNiceley doesn’t seem to care, instead used his hat to cover our camera. His bill would hijack part of Rep. John Lewis Way and make it “Trump Blvd” pic.twitter.com/uue63fmdG5
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) February 6, 2023
Another leftist who was seemingly upset with the proposal was Rep. Justin Jones, who likened it to white supremacy.
“Tennessee Republicans’ bill to change parts of John Lewis Way to Donald Trump Blvd is about more than a street name,” Jones wrote online. “It’s yet another white supremacist attack on Black history. It’s spitting on the grave of our ancestor. It’s memorializing hate. Best believe, we’ll fight back.”
Former President Trump and former Rep. Lewis notably did not appear to get along. Upon being asked how he thinks Lewis will be remembered, Trump said he did not know and noted that Lewis made a point to skip his presidential inauguration.
