Community and faith leaders from across Nashville have called for the city to unite around a message of tolerance and acceptance.
Nashville Unites and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee have arranged for a full page ad to appear in The Tennessean, on Jan. 24. The ad will feature phrases like "We are a city with a generous spirit and an open door," "We resolve that if fate leads someone to Nashville we will embrace them as our own," and "We resolve that where there is conflict, we will resolve it peacefully."
“It is really about saying let’s come together regardless of political or religious affiliation,” said Bishop Joseph Walker, Pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and founder of Nashville Unites. “We can come together and make a difference because we are better together.”
Walker said the message of unity comes after other cities have been divided by strong political rhetoric, violence and protests.
“We don’t always have to agree, but we can work together,” said Walker.
Walker, as well as, Paul Galloway, Executive Director of the American Outreach Center, helped finalize the message of the ad.
“I think the most important thing about this ad is it emphasizes everyone has a place in Nashville and this is a welcoming city,” said Galloway.
Supporters hope the results of the ad will help make Nashville a model for the rest of the country.
The design of the ad is still being finalized.
You can support this effort by adding your name to this Google document: http://bit.ly/nashvilleunites-resolve
