The Nashville Movement

On June 26th 2008, Shur Brite car wash workers and their allies in the community took a public stand against the unjust practices of their employer.

On June 6th, 2008, over 300 Nashville residents marched in solidarity for worker's rights.
Photography by Heather Hicks.

Over 250 Taxi cab drivers came to elect officers April 15th

NHPP & Urban Epicenter Host Poverty Reality Tour The Nashville Homeless Power Project, and Urban Epicenter provide a tour organized by Vanderbilt for Vanderbilt and TSU Professors, Students and other academics examining the crossroads between academics and activism. Tony Mazzoli, Kay Rowe and Patricia Bryant of the Nashville Homeless Power Project and Keith Caldwell of the Urban Epicenter are demonstrated the lay of the land of injustice in Nashville - day labor agencies, shelters, public housing and more. Thanks to Professor Padgett for the photos.

Friday March 7th, 2008 Millions of Americans are only one paycheck away from homelessness. NHPP has recently helped form The Nashville Movement, a new coalition of workers, students, congregations, and community organizations committed to winning living wages, with and for the poorest workers in Nashville. As a first step towards solidarity with Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, and the Metro Nashville Taxi Driver’s Alliance; NHPP sent a delegation of five to explore the work conditions faced by taxi cab workers. Taxi workers are kept poor by a system of local government and exploitative Taxi Companies. These companies can charge more than $9,000 a year “Lick” to each taxi driver in exchange for a needed permit, which costs the company only $245 a year to local government. The company provides minimal dispatch services, while workers pay for their own vehicle, maintenance, and gas. Often workers must work inhumane hours to just break even. In addition to these economic injustices, taxi workers expressed many concerns about work conditions at the Metro Nashville Airport. These include: inadequate shelters from the elements, bathrooms, and trash facilities. It is NHPP’s hope that taxi cab workers and homeless temp workers can build enough collective power together to win wages that will lift both groups up and out of poverty! Stay tuned for updates. http://www.homelesspower.org/ Photos by Joon Powell

Hosted by Councilman Maynard, Commemorated Memphis sanitation workers strike where Dr. King was assassinated. Also, NM released new Davidson county living wage estimate . Photos by Joon Powell.

Pictures from the movement's first citywide student meeting at Fisk University.