Tennessee to pay white nationalist group $46,000 in legal fees after judge's ruling

Natalie Allison | The Tennessean

A federal judge has ordered the state of Tennessee to pay more than $46,000 in legal fees to a white nationalist group that uses state park facilities for an annual conference.

Judge Aleta Trauger on Tuesday issued a ruling in federal court that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation must pay New Century Foundation $46,370.30 in attorney's fees.

The organization, which is more commonly known as American Renaissance, had originally requested around $56,000 in legal fees from the state, though only a portion of their reported costs were approved by Trauger for reimbursement.

Group: TDEC imposed fee that was 'unconstitutional'

Jared Taylor, founder of the white nationalist group, filed suit in September 2018 against Michael Robertson, director of TDEC's state park operations. Taylor alleged the state imposed an "unconstitutional security fee" to ensure public safety and to cover damage caused to park facilities during the event.

AmRen held its eighth annual conference in May at Montgomery Bell State Park in Dickson — an event that has drawn protesters in recent years and led TDEC to strengthen security and install barriers.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Nashville, came amid an ongoing national debate over controversial far right groups' use of public universities, streets and other spaces for rallies and events — and over who foots the bill for increased security costs.

Before the court awarded attorney's fees for AmRen, Trauger issued an injunction against TDEC's contract terms that would require a 10% refundable security deposit — in addition to the reservation deposit — to cover expenses exceeding typical state staffing for the facility and damage repairs.

The state subsequently proposed a revised contract to AmRen that the organization agreed to sign. It's unclear whether the group plans to hold its conference at a Tennessee state park facility in 2020.

TDEC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

American Renaissance, designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, is a magazine-turned-blog that "openly peddles white nationalism," according to the Montgomery, Alabama-based nonprofit legal advocacy organization.

Reach Natalie Allison at nallison@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter at @natalie_allison.

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