By Avery Gingerich, WBIR
A group of advocacy and faith leaders gathered in downtown Knoxville for an annual meeting that’s meant to mimic a biblical example of a “great assembly,” ultimately meant to hold officials accountable for justice.
The annual “Nehemiah Action Assembly” was organized by Justice Knox, bringing together more than 1,200 faith leaders from two dozen congregations to discuss specific action items. The agenda was mostly focused on organizing aid for the nearby homeless community and improving the city’s transit system.
Ann O’Connor said transportation has been an issue that the group has focused on for years.
“We took transportation up 5 years ago, and we’ve been working with officials and KAT (Knoxville Area Transit) to get it started, so we hope tonight’s the night,” she said.
The assembly’s attendees, like Katie McIlwain, who appeared with the Cokesbury Church, said the gathering has led to positive change for the city over the last decade. In the past, the group has pushed for reforms in the city’s police department and the development of affordable housing.
“I think it is celebratory in that, for us, for example, we’re going to see a bus roll up here momentarily. Some of the folks on that bus will be experiencing homelessness themselves. That’s really a powerful moment, to empower folks with lived experience to be their own advocates,” she said.
O’Connor said success can take many different forms, and this year the group aims to improve KAT’s micro-transit service and promote more affordable housing developments across the city. The group introduced their proposals by sharing stories from the community, aimed at connecting local officials with the lived experience of people in the Knoxville area.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon joined the assembly to listen to the proposals and learn from the assembly.
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