NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — As Nashville prepares for the possibility of violent protests this coming week, African- American communities are taking precautions. Across the country we’ve seen Black-owned businesses and churches targeted.
FOX 17 News is digging to find out what’s being done to protect them.
What many describe as shocking video, Pastor Aaron Marble from Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist calls it unsurprising.
“The type of violence we saw at the Capitol, while it is unfortunate and sad, we as a community, as a people, know that people are capable of doing that and worse,” Pastor Marble said.
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He says, sadly, the mob mentality is something African-Americans have dealt with from the days of slavery forward.
“The church has been essential and still is to the black community. We know that churches are sensitive and sacred spaces and sometimes are the target of violence because of what they represent in the community,” Pastor Marble said.
It’s why churches like Mt. Carmel Baptist Church are upping their security right now, anxious to get through these next few weeks.
“My congregates, they’re scared to come to worship this Sunday, but I’m trying to share with them all of the safety procedures we have in place to assure them they’re safe to come out and worship,” Bishop Campbell said.
He says they’re using extra security personnel and will have someone watching the cameras at all times. For the virtual school they run, they’re performing lock down drills this week and plan to keep the doors locked and stay inside on inauguration day.
“A lot of the people in this community of north Nashville, a lot of them are saying they’re just gonna stay in all until of this blows by.”
Now, these local leaders are calling for change so these families don’t have to feel that fear.
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“This language, this rhetoric, has been building and if we are not speaking out against it, if we are silent, then we are complicit and we are in part responsible,” Pastor Marble said.
Metro police say they haven’t of heard any direct threat tied to an African-American Church or business, but they’re prepared to help. They say any church or business that would like extra help these next few weeks can reach out to their local precinct and they’d be more than willing to arrange something.
Mt. Carmel also hosts a virtual school and they feed these kids every day. They desperately need more supplies and donations. CLICK HERE if you’d like to help.
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