This Newsletter is published once a week, usually on Sunday.


To add one-time events to the "UPCOMING EVENTS" section, please send detailed information to info@nashvillepeacejustice.org two weeks before the event, if possible. Please include a logo if you wish.


"CANCELLED OR POSTPONED EVENTS" should also be sent to this email address as soon as possible

 

Don't overlook the "RECURRING EVENTS" at the end. Send new recurring events, to info@nashvillepeacejustice.org



Due to our being unable to verify some information, some recurring events have been removed. If you feel this has been done in error, please contact info@nashvillepeacejustice.org with updated information, and a logo, if you wish.


ALL TIMES IN CENTRAL TIME.


MESSAGE(S) FROM NPJC


Please go to https://www.nashvillepeacejustice.org/join to join NPJC or to pay current dues online or to send a check to the Nashville Peace and Justice Center. Only groups and individuals who have paid their dues can evaluate our past year, set goals for the next year and elect our Board of Directors at our Annual Membership Meeting.

 NPJC provides information on behalf of organizations in or outside of the NPJC group of organizations. The information provided in here is provided by these organizations and does not necessarily reflect the views of NPJC.


UPCOMING EVENTS   

New or changed items are highlighted in yellow

Coming up THIS WEEK in pink

June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month

At NAMI Tennessee, we recognize that mental health affects everyone—and that men often face unique challenges when it comes to seeking help and opening up about their struggles.

Together, we’re working to break down the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, encourage honest conversations, and ensure that support, education, and resources are available to lift up everyone who needs help. Stigma can be especially heavy for young men, who are often taught to suppress their emotions, “be strong,” or avoid vulnerability. At the same time, they’re navigating critical years of growth marked by academic pressures, evolving identities, shifting relationships, and the weight of growing expectations. Without safe spaces to express what they’re feeling, many young men suffer in silence, unsure of how to ask for help.

June is Pride Month

Join the many events and celebrations throughout the country. In Middle Tennessee follow Nashville Pride, Franklin Pride, and Rutherford County Pride for events and celebrations prior to the Festivals.

Donating to support immigrant communities:


1.) Community Foundation of Middle TN's "The Belonging Fund"

https://cfmt.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4069

The Belonging Fund provides financial support to nonprofit organizations offering emergency assistance to immigrants in our region during times of crisis. These funds are intended for direct aid to individuals and families through partner organizations and will not be utilized for organizational administrative costs.

Whether it’s housing instability, child care, transportation, food insecurity, or other urgent needs, the fund ensures support is available when it’s needed most. Nonprofit partners may recommend an immigrant family in need and receive funds to share with them during a time of crisis.

In addition, donations to the fund are made possible solely by individual donors and private organizations - no government dollars are included. That means no taxpayer dollars are being used in the administration or distribution of this fund.

 Rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to feel secure, valued, and supported, The Belonging Fund provides a safety net for those facing hardship. It upholds the values of compassion and inclusion that make our city a place where everyone belongs.

 

2.) The ReMIX TN / Nashville Unidos Fund

https://remixtn.betterworld.org/campaigns/nashville-unidos-fund

These funds will serve to support families directly affected by the May 4th ICE operations, providing families with support for food, bills, and other timely costs.

Help ensure family separation does not continue to affect our communities and enable families to be reunited. 

 

3.) TIRRC / TN Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition

Since their founding in 2003, the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) has grown from an informal network of community leaders into one of the most diverse and effective coalitions of its kind, a model for immigrant rights organizations in the Southeast and throughout the United States.

https://www.tnimmigrant.org/donate

TIRRC is nationally recognized for their multiethnic, multigenerational coalition building, effective legislative advocacy, and award-winning communications initiatives. TIRRC organizes both individual immigrants and refugees, as well as organizations and multifaith congregations that serve immigrant and refugee communities.


Nashville People's Budget Coalition 

  1. Speak in favor of housing and safety for all at the JUNE 3 public hearing on the budget Sign Up
  2. Register to canvas and phonebank
  3. Sign + SHARE our petition asking the mayor & City Council to support the housing & Safety for all plan! Petition closes June 17.
  4. More Actions HERE


Friday, June 6, 6:30 PM Middle-Wear Orange for Prevention & Celebration of Survivors Service Greater Bethel AME Church, 1300 South St, Nashville, TN 37212 SIGN UP HERE


NOAH's Transformational Justice Task Force will hold a Town Hall on June 8 from 4 pm - 5:30 pm on Zoom. This will be one in a series of Town Halls hosted by Tirzah organizations. We will feature a panel of people who have been directly impacted and/or are working on changing our criminal legal system. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information!


Tennessee Equality Project Donuts and Decoding Legislation Monday, June 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM Greenhills Public Library, Large Meeting Room. A look at LGBTQ+ legislation coming up in 2026.


June 12 online event on Media Literacy and Activism. The Roots Action Education Fund team. Register Here You can register at the same link for any of these upcoming livestreams:

July 10 - Understanding Sanctions 

July 24 - Learning From Progressive Victories


The Guarantee of Birthright Citizenship Virtual Thursday, June 12, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET

RSVP for this free virtual event


NO KINGS DAY and Flag Day Rally Nashville, Saturday, June 14, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Bicentennial Mall 600 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243

Amphitheater area. For rallies in other places go to NoKings.org


SIGN UP NOW Clubs United for a Progressive Strategy Tennessee (CUPSTN.ORG) invites High School Students to a Summer Civics Workshop, Monday and Tuesday June 16 & 17. Attendance is free, and lunch is provided. Donations are gladly accepted. For Information and to register click here


Saturday June 28: PRIDE Parade 10AM, Broadway, if the weather permits.

Saturday June 28, 11-9 and Sunday June 29, 11-7 PRIDE Nashville Festival at Bicentennial Mall.


RSVP NOW! " Scopes Monkey Trail" field trip. It's not until July 11, but you need to sign up soon to get a spot. Experience the “Trial of the Century” pitting creation vs evolution, on a chartered trip to the 100-year re-enactment in the historic courtroom in Dayton TN where the showdown took place. DETAILS & TICKETS available here: https://givebutter.com/Scopes100.


Join Planned Parenthood of TN and North MS and TN Advocates for Planned Parenthood at our summer Grassroots Organizing Retreat August 22-24! Advocates for bodily autonomy from all across the state will gather at beautiful Montgomery Bell State Park for a weekend of collaboration, skill-building, rejuvenation, and strategizing ways we can win the fight for our reproductive rights! Register NOW http://tappschool.org/retreat


It's time to Register for one of the upcoming Free, Virtual EmpowerCons on Emergency Preparedness. Tuesday, August 26th at 11 am CT or Thursday, November 11th at 4 pm CT. Join us at one of these upcoming Zoom sessions to create your own, personal Emergency Preparedness Plan and be eligible to receive one of 50 emergency go-bags filled with essential supplies. REGISTER

RECURRING EVENTS

WEEKLY

Tuesdays 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM. Weekly Community Meal by Trinity Community Commons. .

A potluck style dinner in partnership with The Nashville Food Project. Location: 204 E. Trinity Lane, Nashville, TN 37207 Bring a dish and come break bread with us! Everyone is welcome to this free community meal. More information here.

Tuesdays, 6 PM Participatory Defense. Hosted by Free Hearts. Online event: contact info@freeheartsorg.com for more info. This free grassroots program supports people at any stage of the judicial system so loved ones can save time instead of serving time. We support families from arrest to post conviction to parole to clemency and beyond. Examples of the support we provide are as follows:

  • attend court hearings
  • show care for the family during a difficult time
  • help facilitate communication with the legal team
  • assist with creating mitigation packets and videos
  • assistance with strategy

Participatory Defense also has proven to strengthen families and the community as a whole. More info: freeheartsorg.com and participatorydefense.org

Thursdays 11am-noon Christ Church Cathedral: Father Richard Wineland is handing out blessings and prayers on the corner of 9th and Broadway each week, . Information.

DSA National's Housing Justice Commission has made our Spanish practice sessions weekly on Tuesdays at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 5pm PT. Whether you've only taken a couple classes in high school or you're almost fluent, we have resources to help you practice at whatever level you're at. We recommend reviewing them ahead of time so you know what you're getting into.

Thursday 6:30 PM: DRINKING LIBERALLY. Location East Nashville Beer Works

For up-to-date information email nashville@drinkingliberally.org or go to

https://livingliberally.org/drinking/chapters/TN/nashville.

Thursdays 3:30 PM from May to October Mini Market, Locally-made food and

CSA Pickup by Trinity Community Commons. .Location: 204 E. Trinity Lane, Nashville, TN 37207 More information https://www.trinitycommunitycommons.org/about/#programs.

A group of progressive Nashvillians from the world of higher education meets every Friday at the corner of 7th and Church Street in front of the Federal Building (719 Church Street) from noon-1:00 p.m. to protest the attacks on democracy and the Constitution by the Trump administration, as well as the failure of Marsha Blackburn to represent the interests of her constituents. Parking is free with 1.5-hour validation in the library parking lot, which is right across 7th Street from the protest (entrance to the lot is on 6th). We encourage you to bring a sign, although we always have extras on hand in case you need one.

Friends in the Nashville area meet weekly every Sunday morning at 10am to sit together in communal quiet / expectant waiting / worship at our meeting house on 26th Avenue North, in person & online with zoom. Masking is not required but welcomed & recommended.

We take a short break for coffee, cookies & conversation before our 2nd Hour adult-education programs on 2nd & 4th Sundays. More info here!

Saturdays 9 AM to 11 AM ENP FreeStore Location: Arlington United Methodist, 1360 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217. Customers may shop or donate for a set number of items per month depending on available inventory. Household items: kitchen tools, small appliances, electronics, bedding, kitchen & bath linens, toys, books, personal hygiene items, and cleaning supplies. Due to space limitations, we do not accept furniture or large appliances. For more information, contact Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier

allison@edgehillpartnership.org

EVERY OTHER WEEK

Every other Thursday 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Sunrise Nashville Hub Meeting. Location: 2131 26th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208. For more information and team@nashville.smvmt.org or sunrisemovementnashville.org

Every other Saturday from 3-5pm. QUILT and Middle TN DSA host Queer Crafting Hours. Lessons on various sewing and crafting techniques. Queer centered, all welcome! RSVP here!

MONTHLY

First Friday, 7:30 AM - 9 AM. Hybrid Tennessee Women in Green (TWIG) empowers, inspires and connects women who are committed to environmental sustainability. The monthly lectures are open to all, not just women. Go to https://www.tennesseewomeningreen.com/monthly-programs for subject, location and Zoom information.

First Saturday most months 4:30 PM - 6 PM Feminist Trivia NightLipstick Lounge, 1400 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206.

For up to date calendar check https://nashvillefeministcollective.com/calendar-of-events/

Sorry, this venue is restricted to those 21 years and older. (Wheelchair accessible plus specified parking in the back. Ramp on sidewalk. Bus #20 stops right in front, #26 stops six blocks away, #4 stops three blocks away. Access Ride can drop you at the front door.)

Submit questions in advance at https://nashvillefeministcollective.com/submit-a-trivia-q/. Your question can be about any topic, with a focus on women and gender non-conforming people: Film, theater, television, music, media, art, literature, language, history, politics, global feminism, activism, science, health, sports, leisure, pop culture, sexuality, sex, gender, pioneers, inventors, entrepreneurs, etc. We especially need submissions that highlight local social justice and gender justice efforts underway in Nashville.

 Every second Tuesday, 6-6:30 PM, Veterans for Peace, Chapter 89  will be meeting over Zoom. All veterans and supporters of veterans who support global peace and an end to the American military industrial complex are welcome to join them. Text Jim Wohlgemuth for Zoom information: 703 403-6135

Second Tuesday of every month 6:30PM SOCM Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment Rutherford County Chapter Location varies. Could be virtual. Contact info@socm.org for location or Zoom link.

Second Thursday of each month (March – October), 7 PM -8 PM. SIERRA CLUB of Middle Tennessee meets at Radnor Lake Visitor Center, 1160 Otter Creek Road, Nashville for a social Meet & Greet, Current Happenings, and a Lightning Talk. Light refreshments provided. We meet at 5:30 in the parking lot for an optional pre-meeting hike around the lake. You must enter Otter Creek Pike from Granny White Pike. For more information Sierra Club web page

First Sunday of every month, 2-3:30pm at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. SOCM Caffeinated Conversations. Come out to learn Come out to learn how to make effective public comment statements and learn more about the work of SOCM in Rutherford County. The general public is invited! Register here.

Second Saturday of the month: 10:00AM -11:00 AM Virtually CITIZENS' CLIMATE LOBBY, CCL-Middle TN chapter is a concerned group of citizens from Middle Tennessee, just one of hundreds of CCL chapters across the world, working to create the political will for a livable world. ZOOM link. For more information, you will have to Join CCL https://community.citizensclimate.org/join

Second Saturday Humanist Association of Middle Tennessee We meet at the Ganesha Temple as we tag along and lead some of the discussion. Information on Meetup

Third Tuesday of each month, Virtually, 6:30 PM TENNESSEANS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEATH PENALTY https://tennesseedeathpenalty.org/ More information and the Zoom link email stacy@tennesseedeathpenalty.org

Second Thursday 7 PM Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Nashville Chapter, Hybrid or Virtual. In Person: Lutheran Church, side entrance, 113 8th Ave S, Between Broadway and Demonbreun, Nashville, TN 37203. Free Parking. Email for Zoom Link to info@nashville-au.org or 615-208-4833.

WATCH SOCIAL MEDIA FOR INFORMATION. Subscribe to the Newsletter.


Third Saturdays Humanist Association of Middle Tennessee - Life Event - Deconstructing Religion with Kalai Mugilan from 3 - 5 pm at Greater Nashville UU on Hicks. Come share your stories, listen to others, and maybe join us for dinner afterwards.


Fourth Saturday Humanist Association of Middle Tennessee. We gather to Host our main event at Greater Nashville UU on Hicks. We usually host a speaker, an artist, a comedian, or a human deconstructing any religion. Usually we hang with a few hors d’oeuvres, have an event, hang out more, then some of us exchange numbers, and some of us go for dinner. Information on Meetup

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Last Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm at Friends Meeting House. Middle TN Democratic Socialists of America General Meeting.

Empower Tennessee welcomes you to join a free online support group for LGBTQ+ young adults with disabilities. The program is open to adults ages 18 through 28 who live in Tennessee, who self-identify as having a disability and as being in the LGBTQ+ community. The ongoing, monthly peer support group meets on the 3rd Thursday from 12:30 - 2:30 pm Central. Email Dan Dumont to connect to the group!

Sign Up for the SOCM Book Club. We're getting ready to start our 2025 Book Club using George Goehl's "Fundamentals of Organizing" field book. Book club sessions will be held via Zoom, February through July, and will be under an hour. We have two time options each month to allow for people's varied schedules.


OPTION 1: Coffee Hour - Every 3rd Fridays of each month at 8:15amCT/9:15amET

OPTION 2: Lunch Hour - Every last Wednesday of each month at 11:30CT/12:30ET


Register here!


*We have run out of our 50 hard copies of the book! If you were not one of the first 50 registrants receiving the hard copies, you may purchase a book directly from Fundamentals of Organizing here. In addition to the hard copy option, the book is available on audio: Listen here.

Climate Nashville is partnering with the Climate Reality Project - Tennessee! They will be having meetings in alternating months to strengthen both of their efforts.



OTHER NEWS

Empower Tennessee: This year, Youth Leadership Academy is offered as both a summer conference as well as a series of virtual gatherings where participants have an opportunity to learn, engage, and empower each other toward their future goals. Young adults with disabilities ages 18 – 24 are invited to participate. Contact: Marissa Smith-Fletcher with questions or for more information at marissasf@empowertn.org


ONGOING: "Religion and Justice," a podcast brought to you by the Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice at Vanderbilt Divinity School.

Check out The Bible and Settler Colonialism in Palestine and Beyond Parts I and II


ROC United is offering an OSHA-approved training that helps workers and employers recognize the signs of heat exhaustion, avoid workplace hazards due to high temperatures, understand workers’ rights, and employers’ responsibilities to stay safe from heat stress. Sign up to host a training here!

Nashville Peace & Justice Center

c/o Friends Meeting House

530 26th Ave. N.

Nashville, TN 37209-4137      

info@nashvillepeacejustice.org

https://nashvillepeacejustice.org

The Nashville Peace and Justice Center (NPJC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting equity and creating a peaceful, just and sustainable society through reflection, education and non-violent action.

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