Latinos For Tennessee has found a new venue for their quarterly networking event tonight after another restaurant suddenly canceled on them Monday.
Those involved or friendly with the conservative political advocacy group sometimes face harassment for their views. Executive director Raul Lopez told The Tennessee Star he thinks the group’s recent opposition to the Metro Council’s proposed “sanctuary city” ordinance has made critics even more upset.
But Lopez said his group will keep forging ahead despite the pressure.
“They can’t stop us,” he said.
The group was set to meet tonight at Salsa Puerto Rican and Latin Cuisine, a restaurant on the edge of downtown Nashville. The event was scheduled weeks in advance, but the restaurant notified Lopez on Monday that they’d have to cancel because they were overbooked. Lopez called it “a major coincidence.” The Tennessee Star was unable to reach anyone at the restaurant for comment. Lopez said the group has met there in the past without any problems.
In recent days, Latinos For Tennessee had decided to address the proposed ordinance at tonight’s meeting and invited speakers to talk about it. Some backed out because of hostility they faced for affiliating with the group, Lopez said.
Councilman Robert Swope is still set to speak briefly at the event, which will now be held at Crows Nest in Green Hills. State Sen. Mark Green (R-Clarksville) was originally on the program and will still appear.
Swope has been a vocal opponent of the proposed ordinance, which would restrict local cooperation with federal immigration officials.
The ordinance has faced mounting opposition and its chances of success appear increasingly uncertain. Mayor Megan Barry, while regarded as friendly toward illegal immigration, released a statement Tuesday morning asking Metro Council to reconsider the ordinance. She cited the findings of Metro’s law director who said the council cannot prevent the sheriff from cooperating with immigration officials, and also mentioned that the Metro Nashville Police Department has concerns about the ordinance.
Tonight’s event at the Crows Nest starts at 6 p.m. The restaurant is located at 2221 Bandywood Drive. For more information and to RSVP, visit 2pointsjune27.eventbrite.com.
