The Tennessee House of Representatives just expelled two Black Democrats over their participation in a gun control demonstration at the state legislature last week.
The Republicans, who control the house 75-23, voted to remove representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson.
The crowd in the gallery erupted in boos and chants following both expulsions and loud cheers when the vote count turned up just short in the bid to oust Rep. Gloria Johnson, the third Democratic member who stood with them during the protest on the floor of the chamber. Johnson is White.
Republican representatives Andrew Farmer, Gino Bulso, and Bud Hulsey had filed the three resolutions on Monday to expel their Democratic colleagues, saying they broke decorum by leading the demonstration.
The House voted 72-25 along party lines to remove Jones and 69-26 to remove Pearson. A total of 66 votes were needed for expulsion.
Pearson told reporters after the vote,
You cannot ignore the racial dynamic of what happened today. Two young black lawmakers get expelled and the one white woman does not.
That’s a statement in and of itself.”
President Biden tweeted that the proceedings were
shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent.”
Former President Obama said,
This nation was built on peaceful protest.
No elected official should lose their job simply for raising their voice – especially when they’re doing it on behalf of our children.”
The protest they were expelled for was for gun control legislation in the wake of the school shooting in Nashville where six people, including three children, were killed.
Three kids and three officials gunned down in yet another mass shooting.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 6, 2023
And what are GOP officials focused on?
Punishing lawmakers who joined thousands of peaceful protesters calling for action.
It’s shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent. https://t.co/NB9gSdFI9h
(Photos, YouTube; via Sky News)
