Williamson County (TN)Lawsuit Against Lee Administration Gets Backing from Local Pastors

Among the lawsuits stacking up against Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee for his non-response to COVID-19 is one from parents in Williamson County claiming the governor’s executive order allowing opt-outs of universal mask mandates creates a hardship for students with disabilities.

That suit has now picked up the support of local pastors in Williamson County who say Lee has a moral duty to protect all children.

“From the start of this pandemic Governor Lee has not approached this crisis from a public health perspective,” said Rev. Brandon Baxter, Associate Pastor of West End United Methodist Church and Parent of children in Williamson County Schools. “His ‘fend-for-yourself’ approach has pitted us against each other so that communities are fighting against each other instead of coming together to fight against the virus.

“Now, unfortunately, school aged children have become victims of political rhetoric instead of being the recipients of common sense care and protection from their leaders. Governor Lee’s Opt-Out Executive Order allows families to opt out of masking protocols that would keep all our children safe. This suit comes from parents of children with disabilities whose children are not safe or protected in school when many parents opt their children out of the temporary mask requirement. Every child, no matter where they live or what health conditions they live with, deserves to feel safe at school. As Christians…