Removing Public Benches is an Attack on People's Ability to Exist Outdoors

In the past couple of weeks, the Nashville Department of Transportation removed more benches downtown along Korean Veterans Boulevard and replaced them with concrete spheres. This removal was done in collaboration with the Nashville Downtown Partnership and Councilmember Jacob Kupin without input from the broader public.

Public benches are one of the last legal places for people to physically exist and rest, and these benches were frequently used by our friends without housing downtown. In a city where most space has been privatized and homelessness has been criminalized, the removal of safe spaces like public benches is callous and cruel.

Nashville’s Downtown Code lays out standards for design that prioritize seating over beautification, yet these standards have been completely disregarded.

As the housing crisis deepens, safe spaces are disappearing. The message is clear: our city wants to erase visible homelessness, even though there’s nowhere else for people to go.

In the face of this injustice, however, the community has stepped up, building benches themselves and placing them along Korean Veterans Blvd and throughout town. We’re so grateful to Christ Lutheran Church and other community members who have built benches and participated in direct action. We take care of each other.

Check out Robin Owen's Substack post to download plans to build your own benches. Community members will also be gathering on Saturday, September 20th at Memorial Lutheran Church (1211 Riverside Dr.) at 9 AM to build benches together. For more information, follow @abench4everyone on Instagram.