Protesters hold signs during a House committee meeting, May 6, 2026

Protesters hold signs during a House committee meeting, May 6, 2026

Protests, witnesses and arguments over funding took center stage Wednesday during the second day of the special session to redraw congressional lines in Tennessee. 

Last week, Gov. Bill Lee called a special session to redraw the lines — particularly those around Memphis, which is Tennessee’s sole Democratic congressional district since redistricting in 2022 split Nashville in three. The 9th Congressional District, which currently contains Memphis, has a majority Black population. 

Sen. London Lamar holds a copy of Republicans' proposed congressional map, May 6, 2026

Sen. London Lamar holds a copy of Republicans' proposed congressional map, May 6, 2026

Protesters during a House Congressional Redistricting Committee, May 6, 2026

Protesters during a House Congressional Redistricting Committee, May 6, 2026

Sen. Charlane Oliver holds an account of the 1866 Memphis Massacre on the Senate floor, May 6, 2026

Sen. Charlane Oliver holds an account of the 1866 Memphis Massacre on the Senate floor, May 6, 2026

Advocate Stacey Abrams, Rep. Steve Cohen and civil rights attorney Walter Bailey testify during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, May 6, 2026

Advocate Stacey Abrams, Rep. Steve Cohen and civil rights attorney Walter Bailey testify during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, May 6, 2026