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Pro-Gun Governor Has Flowers, Cards, and Clergy Letter From Vigil for Uvalde Victims Removed Minutes After It Concludes
Minutes after a vigil on Wednesday for the victims of two mass shootings – the Uvalde, Texas school shooting and the Buffalo, New York supermarket shooting – Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee or his office had all the items removed.
According to video from local news organization The Tennessee Holler, all the flowers, cards, a teddy bear, and even a letter to the governor signed by dozens of clergy, appeared headed for the garbage.
“Maria and I are heartbroken by the horrific tragedy in Uvalde, Texas and join the nation in mourning the loss of innocent lives. We lift up their families in prayer and thank all the first responders who acted quickly,” Governor Lee tweeted last week after the Uvalde, Texas mass shooting that left 21 people, including 19 elementary school children, dead.
Last year Gov. Lee signed into law legislation allowing almost any adult to carry a firearm without a permit/license, training, or insurance.
I signed constitutional carry today because it shouldn’t be hard for law-abiding Tennesseans to exercise their #2A rights. Thank you members of the General Assembly and @NRA for helping get this done. pic.twitter.com/xv2ZenOEZq
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) April 8, 2021
On Wednesday The Tennessee Holler posted this video, which it says was filmed minutes after the vigil ended.
After repeatedly asking where the flowers and other vigil items were being delivered, a reporter asks if the letter for Gov. Lee, signed by 50 members of the clergy, “is getting delivered” to the Governor.
WATCH: “IS THIS MEMORIAL FOR DEAD CHILDREN GOING IN THE GARBAGE?”
10 minutes after the vigil outside @GovBillLee’s office he had the memorial for #Uvalde & #Buffalo victims removed, along with a letter signed by dozens of clergy.
Heartless. #HowManyMore 🇺🇸 💔 pic.twitter.com/17tWqbiyJt
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) June 1, 2022
The Tennesse Holler adds that the letter, which asked for action on gun violence, was not accepted by the governor’s office, and clergy members say they were told to mail it.
HAPPENING NOW — outside @GovBillLee’s office in Nashville Tennesseans (clergy, parents, doctors) have gathered to deliver a letter signed by ~50 pastors and call for action on guns.
Lee’s office wouldn’t accept the letter – told them to Mail it instead. pic.twitter.com/Oi5DOaywlZ
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) June 1, 2022
As this video shows:
JUST NOW: Tennessee pastors brought a letter calling for action on guns to @GovBillLee’s office — it was refused. 🤔
They were told to mail it instead. #HowManyMore 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/wVoOznIcu2
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) June 1, 2022
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