Sen. Akbari’s measure to abolish slavery from Tennessee’s Constitution moves forward

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Senate approved Monday a measure sponsored by Sen. Raumesh Akbari to abolish slavery from the state constitution — under all circumstances.

“Today, we’re making clear, once and for all, that slavery is prohibited in all forms and under all circumstances,” Sen. Akbari said. “It’s important that we reckon with slavery allowances because constitutional flaws like this are what allowed mass incarceration to flourish for generations. More than a century later, we’re still trying undo the consequences of this injustice.”

Senate Joint Resolution 80 passed the Senate by a vote of 26–4.

Tennessee’s Constitution currently allows slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for people convicted of a crime.

Under the amendment, Sen. Akbari says, the state will “close a loophole” by no longer permitting slavery as a criminal punishment or under any circumstance.

The effort now goes to the State House of Representatives, where lawmakers will take up the concurring House Joint Resolution 98 on Tuesday.