The Loyal Opposition, March 12, Luis Mata (TIRRC) & Jessie Canute (Tou, Me, TN)

[00:00:00] Michele: Hello, Middle Tennessee. Welcome to the Loyal

Opposition, Middle Tennessee's progressive radio show, airing the voices of

dissent. In opposition to the Tennessee Republican supermajority and other right

wing extremists, while also spotlighting minority owned businesses and

advocacy groups. Today, we will cover both advocacy and spotlight a minority

owned business located right here in Sumner County with national reach.

All right, folks. So there's a lot going on. Obviously, we live in Tennessee and

it's legislative season. So we always have lots and lots to talk about. Today here

briefly, we're going in just a few minutes, we're going to [00:01:00] talk to Luis

Mata from the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, but wanted

to know quickly, a few things going on in the legislature.

The Tennessee Holler reported today that farmers for free trade have been down

at the Capitol trying to let legislators notice the damage that these tariffs are

going to cause.

[00:01:24] Luis: Hi

[00:01:25] Michele: Hi, Luis. This is How are you? This is Michele. You're on

the radio.

[00:01:32] Luis: Oh, thank you so much, Michele.

It's an honor to be on.

[00:01:35] Michele: Awesome. We, I appreciate you so much for taking time. I

know you have been extraordinarily busy these last few weeks.

[00:01:45] Luis: No, the pleasure is truly mine. We have been, fighting against

these imminent threats that our immigrant and refugee communities are facing

across the state.

So, thank you for the opportunity to share about. What we got going on and

how folks can join us in [00:02:00] this fight.

[00:02:00] Michele: Yeah, let's just get started with that legislation, specifically

House Bill 793. This bill states for our listeners that as introduced, it authorizes

local education groups and public charter schools to refuse to enroll students

who are unlawfully present in the United States.

So do you want to talk a little bit about the harm that this will cause?

[00:02:23] Luis: Yeah we've been seeing from trickling down from the Oval

Office down into our state capitol and into our local communities this anti

immigrant narrative that leads to anti immigrant policies. And right now we are

seeing this completely unprecedented attack against our public education with

House Bill 793, which is a direct attempt to strip children from their freedom to

learn.

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