A candidate running for mayor in Franklin, Tennessee, has been accused by the members of the city council of refusing to condemn “actual, literal Nazis”.
Gabrielle Hanson was at a candidates’ forum on 2 October when she received a visit by members of the Tennessee Active Club, a hate group known for promoting white nationalism. Members of the council, referred to as aldermen in Franklin, rebuked Hanson for enabling such hate groups, according to local news station WTVF.
“I’m not going to denounce anybody their right to be whatever it is they want to be – whether I agree with what they do in their personal life or not,” Hanson said in response to her critics.
Hanson told her colleagues “you reap what you sow”, in reference to the divisions within the community. She also noted that these were “spiritual repercussions”.
On social media, Hanson emphasized that she did not invite the group to the debate and is “categorically” not a Nazi, nor does she support nazism.
Brad Lewis, a leader of the Tennessee Active Club, said was at Hanson’s request that their group showed up in her support.
Alderman Matt Brown said during Tuesday’s forum: “To be silent is to be complicit. To not take action is to allow this behavior to root. We cannot allow this kind of hate to take hold in Franklin or else we have lost everything.”
Brown also called for a vote to censure Hanson.
Joining Brown, Alderman Beverly Burger asked Hanson: “Is it your mission to divide our city? Because you’re doing a bang-up job of it right now.”
Another member, Brandy Blanton, called the spectacle involving Hanson “embarrassing” for Franklin.
“To end up on HBO, to end up on MSNBC, and not for the good stuff – and it’s all traced down to one source,” she said.
Speaking directly to her colleagues, Hanson said the Tennessee Active Club showed up because they are an “anti-antifa” group, and “the dark web is showing massive antifa activity”.
Blanton said she supported the suggestion to censure Hanson.
A joint statement released by the council said: “We, the board of mayor and aldermen, are deeply concerned and disturbed by the events that unfolded at Monday night’s candidate forum for the upcoming city election. Individuals identifying as neo-Nazis and self-admitted supporters of Gabrielle Hanson threatened our citizens and members of the media during and after this important civic event.
“Our city has always prided itself on fostering a welcoming environment for all residents. We firmly believe that our city’s strength and success is built upon the contributions of a diverse citizenry made up of people from all walks of life, backgrounds and beliefs.
“We will not tolerate any form of hatred, intimidation or violence directed at our residents, media representatives or anyone else attending or participating in the democratic process.”
