By Kaitlin Housler | Tennessee Star
Tennessee State Senator Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) joined a crowd of approximately 300 protesters for a pro-Palestine rally organized by the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in Nashville on Sunday.
Campbell was caught on video standing with an individual who appears to be one of the organizers of the event, due to the identification badge he is wearing on a lanyard around his neck.
A visibly shaken Campbell left the event shortly after she discovered her whereabouts were captured on camera.
Sunday’s “Emergency Rally and Vigil for Palestine” was Middle Tennessee DSA’s third straight weekend of rallying in support of Palestine amid the terrorist group Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel that left over 1,400 Israelis and 32 Americans dead.
Video posted on social media from the rally shows the protesters marching and chanting slogans including:
“Hey, hey; ho, ho; this occupation’s got to go;”
“Not another nickel, not another dime; no more money for Israel’s crimes;”
“Free, free Palestine;” and
“Joe Biden you will see – Palestine will be free; Netanyahu you will see – Palestine will be free.”
Another video sent to The Tennessee Star showed pro-Palestine protesters blocking a handful of pro-Israel counter-protesters waving Israeli and American flags as well as holding signs showing the information about individuals kidnapped by the terrorist group Hamas.
A man holding a sign with the hostage information said about the protesters blocking him, “If they want to hide their crimes, they’re going to need a bigger flag.”
Meanwhile, a large pro-Israel rally demonstration took place at the intersection of Poplar and Ridgeway in Memphis.
Sunday’s rallies come two days after a pro-Israel demonstration took place at Legislative Plaza in Nashville which drew a crowd of approximately 400, as reported by The Tennessee Star. State Senator Campbell was also present at the pro-Israel rally, however, failed to denounce the antisemitism demonstrated in recent weeks by her colleagues in the Democratic Party and groups such as Middle Tennessee DSA during her remarks.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.