Newly-elected Democrat Tennessee State Representative for District 51 Aftyn Behn released a statement Sunday calling for a ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists.
Behn defeated Republican David C. Hooven in the Tennessee House District 51 Special Genera last month with 74.9 percent of the vote.
The Democrat said after “engaging with Jewish and Muslim constituents and community groups” over the course of three weeks, the “overwhelming” consensus was a ceasefire.
I’ve spent the past three weeks engaging with Jewish and Muslim constituents and community groups…they overwhelmingly want a #CeaseFire NOW. https://t.co/rE8kpqozHz pic.twitter.com/YHqoSHBEUj
— Aftyn Behn (@AftynBehn) October 29, 2023
“I can’t sit on the sidelines, as so many of our elected officials have done the past few weeks. Their silence is deafening. Our struggles are global and inextricably linked as our liberation is bound together. The United States is funding a genocide in Gaza right now, and this is a moment when we, as Tennesseans, need to care loudly for Palestinians as we do for marginalized communities in Tennessee,” Behn said in a statement posted to X – formerly Twitter.
“Many constituents have asked me what they can do to stop the bloodshed overseas as it feels futile. I, as a state legislator, have no jurisdiction over our international actions, but our federal delegation does,” Behn added. “If you live in Memphis, House Democrats proposed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in order to facilitate the release of hostages and ensure humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
Behn went on to urge residents to call Tennessee U.S. Representative Steve Cohen’s (D-TN-09) office and demand he “stand with the other Democrats and sign onto the House resolution 786 demanding an immediate ceasefire today.”
The Democrat also urged Tennesseans to “continue showing up to rallies and vigils in support of Gaza and Palestine,” and only support the Jewish people who are “calling for an end to the occupation.”
“If you don’t live in Memphis, continue showing up to rallies and vigils in support of Gaza and Palestine, stand in solidarity with our Jewish allies who are, through their grief and loss, are calling for an end to the occupation, and link arms with our Muslim neighbors whose suffering is being unrecognized by those in power. None of us are free until we’re all free,” Behn concluded.
Behn’s statement on social media was reposted by the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Image “Aftyn Behn” by Aftyn Behn.
