Sullivan County Commission approves resolutions for funding for immigration enforcement

The Sullivan County Commission approved two resolutions Thursday night regarding funding for immigration enforcement. The first resolution accepted $145,000 from the Department of Homeland Security. The second resolution was to accept nearly $70,000 from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security for expenses related to immigration enforcement activities. Both were placed on the consent agenda, which received unanimous approval. During public comments, several people spoke against the resolutions. Sheriff Jeff Cassidy became visibly frustrated when protesters started shouting, telling the crowd, “If you want a weak-kneed sheriff not to enforce the rule of law, then you can vote for somebody else,” before walking off and declining an interview. Protesters chanted “shame!” when commissioners voted 8 to 13, not to extend the public comment period beyond 30 minutes.