Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
TO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY UNIVERSALIST UNITARIAN CHURCH
WHEREAS, as Mayor, Indya Kincannon has committed cruel and violent acts against the houseless community including destruction of homes, destruction of personal property, and jailing of persons for existing while homeless; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Kincannon repeatedly references her membership in TVUUC, including referring to sermons during City Council Meetings to admonish council members, and uses her membership as an indicator of her moral standing; and
WHEREAS, the Unitarian Universalist Association proclaims that congregations affirm and promote seven Principles, and holds those principles as strong values and moral guides;
NOW, THEREFORE, WE REQUEST OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY UNIVERSALIST UNITARIAN CHURCH TO COUNSEL YOUR CONGREGATION MEMBER INDYA KINCANNON TO FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLES WHICH THE CONGREGATION CLAIMS TO AFFIRM AND PROMOTE:
PRINCIPLE 1: The inherent worth and dignity of every person. By sending city work crews to repeatedly destroy the possessions of the homeless and displace them from their shelter, Mayor Kincannon refuses to treat the homeless as her equal neighbors in humanity.
PRINCIPLE 2: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Martin v Boise that displacing street campers is a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s Prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment unless alternative shelter is provided.
PRINCIPLE 3: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations. The only non-religiously discriminatory shelter in Knoxville is the Foyer, and it is always full.
PRINCIPLE 4: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Mayor Kincannon continues to claim that shelters that aren’t full indicate adequate shelter, yet we have massive camps of folks banned from or with grievances against these local shelters. Her administration uses a deceptive definition of “low-income housing” that allows market rate rentals to qualify for city subsidies.
PRINCIPLE 6: The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. Mayor Kincannon’s campaign against the homeless is a war waged by City owned heavy equipment and armed police who threaten and intimidate our homeless neighbors.
PRINCIPLE 7: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. The environmental devastation of this war against the homeless flows into our creeks and spreads litter across our lands. Homeless camps are frequently surrounded by overflowing trash bins and dumpsters that the city refuses to serve and no provisions have been made for sanitary toilets. This is a choice made by our Mayor to NOT protect the delicate ecosystem of our city.
PRINCIPLE 5: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large. We urge the congregation to take advantage of all parts of the democratic process, not just voting, but also the right to redress our grievances and to advocate for a better future. We believe that you, as fellow congregation members, can reach Mayor Kincannon with these pleas for justice and equity in a way that the homeless community and their advocates have not been able to.
We request that both congregation members and leadership speak personally with Indya about these issues and encourage her to change her policies. We encourage leadership to include lessons directly about serving the poor and homeless. We urge your congregation to stand by the principles it claims to affirm and to call Indya Kincannon to account on these issues in our community.
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Updates
August 5, 2022
The volume of support has reached a level that necessitates a formal presentation to the church leadership. I am currently finalizing the letter of request to be delivered to the TVUUC board by the end of the week.
10 Comments
I am also very unhappy with the way Indya Kincannon conducted a secretive search for a new police chief whose accountability, like hers, is to the people they are supposed to serve. And when children were dying in the Austin East community in 2021 she used her platform to talk about herself and police when she should have been creating space for grieving families and the community to be center stage, heard, and heeded. She either has no idea how her actions are perceived, or she just doesn't care and is enjoying her privilege. I'd love for her to prove me wrong.
As a member of the congregation, I find her actions appalling and not in alignment with UU and humane values. Her frequent referencing to her membership coupled with her actions puts a stain on TVUUC. As a congregation, we strive for better, and to help those in need, through a multitude of programs. I, myself, have been blessed as a recipient of such generosity, for which I am eternally grateful. We need to hold her to a higher standard of action, to help instead of destroy. Destruction of what little personal property these people have and leaving them with nowhere to go does not help them.
Member, Tvuuc
Indya Kincannon has been been very disappointing as Mayor of Knoxville, particularly in regards to her values and capabilities.
We are calling on Mayor Kincannon to live up to the principles of her church, love and compassion.
I know you all can be better. Please prove it to us.
Hello My Beautiful Family! I run and operate Keenan Grimes Community Outreah Center! We are willing to help out with anyone having hard times…
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
TO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY UNIVERSALIST UNITARIAN CHURCH
WHEREAS, as Mayor, Indya Kincannon has committed cruel and violent acts against the houseless community including destruction of homes, destruction of personal property, and jailing of persons for existing while homeless; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Kincannon repeatedly references her membership in TVUUC, including referring to sermons during City Council Meetings to admonish council members, and uses her membership as an indicator of her moral standing; and
WHEREAS, the Unitarian Universalist Association proclaims that congregations affirm and promote seven Principles, and holds those principles as strong values and moral guides;
NOW, THEREFORE, WE REQUEST OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY UNIVERSALIST UNITARIAN CHURCH TO COUNSEL YOUR CONGREGATION MEMBER INDYA KINCANNON TO FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLES WHICH THE CONGREGATION CLAIMS TO AFFIRM AND PROMOTE:
PRINCIPLE 1: The inherent worth and dignity of every person. By sending city work crews to repeatedly destroy the possessions of the homeless and displace them from their shelter, Mayor Kincannon refuses to treat the homeless as her equal neighbors in humanity.
PRINCIPLE 2: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Martin v Boise that displacing street campers is a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s Prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment unless alternative shelter is provided.
PRINCIPLE 3: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations. The only non-religiously discriminatory shelter in Knoxville is the Foyer, and it is always full.
PRINCIPLE 4: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Mayor Kincannon continues to claim that shelters that aren’t full indicate adequate shelter, yet we have massive camps of folks banned from or with grievances against these local shelters. Her administration uses a deceptive definition of “low-income housing” that allows market rate rentals to qualify for city subsidies.
PRINCIPLE 6: The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. Mayor Kincannon’s campaign against the homeless is a war waged by City owned heavy equipment and armed police who threaten and intimidate our homeless neighbors.
PRINCIPLE 7: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. The environmental devastation of this war against the homeless flows into our creeks and spreads litter across our lands. Homeless camps are frequently surrounded by overflowing trash bins and dumpsters that the city refuses to serve and no provisions have been made for sanitary toilets. This is a choice made by our Mayor to NOT protect the delicate ecosystem of our city.
PRINCIPLE 5: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large. We urge the congregation to take advantage of all parts of the democratic process, not just voting, but also the right to redress our grievances and to advocate for a better future. We believe that you, as fellow congregation members, can reach Mayor Kincannon with these pleas for justice and equity in a way that the homeless community and their advocates have not been able to.
We request that both congregation members and leadership speak personally with Indya about these issues and encourage her to change her policies. We encourage leadership to include lessons directly about serving the poor and homeless. We urge your congregation to stand by the principles it claims to affirm and to call Indya Kincannon to account on these issues in our community.
Updates
August 5, 2022
The volume of support has reached a level that necessitates a formal presentation to the church leadership. I am currently finalizing the letter of request to be delivered to the TVUUC board by the end of the week.
10 Comments
I have long been in community with TVUUC members and appreciated the congregation's presence in our community and the values it espouses. I have often been confused by the Mayor's association in name with a congregation whose values she does not appear to share in practice. Mayor Kincannon has done great harm to Black, Brown, and unhoused communities and has prioritized policing and monied interests over justice, health, a safety. She must be held accountable.
I am also very unhappy with the way Indya Kincannon conducted a secretive search for a new police chief whose accountability, like hers, is to the people they are supposed to serve. And when children were dying in the Austin East community in 2021 she used her platform to talk about herself and police when she should have been creating space for grieving families and the community to be center stage, heard, and heeded. She either has no idea how her actions are perceived, or she just doesn't care and is enjoying her privilege. I'd love for her to prove me wrong.
As a member of the congregation, I find her actions appalling and not in alignment with UU and humane values. Her frequent referencing to her membership coupled with her actions puts a stain on TVUUC. As a congregation, we strive for better, and to help those in need, through a multitude of programs. I, myself, have been blessed as a recipient of such generosity, for which I am eternally grateful. We need to hold her to a higher standard of action, to help instead of destroy. Destruction of what little personal property these people have and leaving them with nowhere to go does not help them.
Member, Tvuuc
Indya Kincannon has been been very disappointing as Mayor of Knoxville, particularly in regards to her values and capabilities.
We are calling on Mayor Kincannon to live up to the principles of her church, love and compassion.
I know you all can be better. Please prove it to us.
Hello My Beautiful Family! I run and operate Keenan Grimes Community Outreah Center! We are willing to help out with anyone having hard times…
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I have long been in community with TVUUC members and appreciated the congregation's presence in our community and the values it espouses. I have often been confused by the Mayor's association in name with a congregation whose values she does not appear to share in practice. Mayor Kincannon has done great harm to Black, Brown, and unhoused communities and has prioritized policing and monied interests over justice, health, a safety. She must be held accountable.