Special session to include protest punishments

Protesters at Legislative Plaza on the Fourth of July

While the Tennessee House and Senate return to the Capitol for a special session this week to discuss bills related to the pandemic, legislators will also consider a pair of bills that seek to enhance penalties for camping and property damage related to ongoing Black Lives Matter protests.

The first of the bills would give the state attorney general the power to investigate and prosecute protesters if the Davidson County district attorney declines to do so. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jeff Yarbro has already criticized the bill as “unconstitutional garbage” on Twitter.