The resurfaced 2019 footage of Democratic Tennessee congressional candidate Aftyn Behn has reignited scrutiny regarding her past activism and public behavior. The video documents a protest at the state capitol in which Behn and members of the activist group Enough Is Enough Tennessee attempted to pressure Republican Gov. Bill Lee to call for the resignation of then-State Rep. David Byrd, who had been accused of sexual misconduct. When the doors to the governor\u2019s office briefly opened, Behn and other protesters rushed forward, prompting security to intervene. The footage shows Behn screaming as officers dragged her away from the governor\u2019s office, after which she fell to her knees in tears while law enforcement cleared the hallway. The intensity of the scene emphasized both her commitment to the issue and the confrontational nature of the demonstration, which culminated in her arrest along with a few other activists who refused to disperse.<\/p>\n
Additional video from the same year reveals that Behn continued her activism by interrupting a session of the 111th General Assembly, again demanding Byrd\u2019s resignation. Her conduct in the chamber led to her removal by state troopers, a citation, and subsequent release. These incidents showcased a pattern of direct-action advocacy that, while supported by some, has become a political liability as she campaigns for public office. For opponents, especially within conservative media circles, the footage provides ammunition to characterize Behn as extreme or disorderly. For supporters, however, these episodes may instead reflect passionate engagement on issues of sexual misconduct and government accountability.<\/p>\n
Behn\u2019s candidacy places her in a competitive race against Republican Matt Van Epps, a former commissioner under Gov. Lee\u2019s administration, in the special election for Tennessee\u2019s 7th Congressional District. The election, scheduled for December 2, follows the resignation of Rep. Mark Green. As Behn seeks broader appeal beyond activist circles, her past public statements are receiving renewed media attention. Among the most controversial are a series of now-deleted tweets from 2020, during the height of the George Floyd protests, in which she appeared to defend or justify the burning of a police station. One such tweet read: \u201cGood morning, especially to the 54% of Americans that believe burning down a police station is justified,\u201d a message that critics argue aligns her with radical anti-police sentiment.<\/p>\n
Security escorted her from the chamber, issued her a citation and released her that evening.<\/p>\n