The special session at the state Capitol was abruptly halted Wednesday after police forcibly removed several protestors from the audience. The disruption occurred during a hearing on House Bill 6001, which aims to criminalize the adoption of sanctuary city policies, establish an immigration enforcement division within the Department of Public Safety, and restrict non-citizens to temporary ID cards in Tennessee.
According to reports by news stations in Nashville and the AP, protestors interrupted the session with chants and signs showing their lack of support for the bill.
State patrol officers were called in to remove the protestors after they refused to leave. One protestor argued, “The chairman had no right to tell me to go. I have a lawyer if you take me.”
The hearing, led by Republican Chris Todd of Jackson, was intended to discuss the controversial bill. Todd requested the removal of the protestors shortly after the disruption broke out.
Republican lawmakers argue that the proposed legislation is necessary to enhance safety and restore law and order; however, some Democratic lawmakers strongly oppose the bill.
The session ended without further discussion on the bill, which remains on track to move forward to the House.
