The Tennessee House of Representatives has expelled two Democratic representatives, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who are both black, while Gloria Johnson, who is white, survived the vote on her expulsion. The expulsion follows a protest calling for more gun control in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in the state capital, Nashville. The Republican leadership denied that race was a factor; however they said Ms Johnson’s arguments might have swayed other members.
President Joe Biden criticized the expulsions: "This move is shocking, undemocratic and without precedent." On March 30th transgender and anti-gun activists stormed the Tennessee Capitol after a tragic incident at Covenant School. Republicans voted to expel two Black Democrats from the state House over their protests against gun violence last week while sparing one white Democrat.
Resolutions were brought forth accusing each of these lawmakers of engaging in “disorderly behavior” during protests against gun violence on the chamber floor last week. Representative Gino Bulso claimed that by protesting for stricter gun laws sparked by Nashville's Mar. 27 school shooting these three Democratic representatives had “effectively conducted mutiny.” Meanwhile Republican representative David Byrd declined to take any action against them.
Pearson and Jones led opposition alongside Rep Gloria Johnson with chants like "No action no peace" which resonated across America sending shockwaves nationwide as politicians took notice including President Joe Biden himself expressing concerns about this unprecedented event unfolding before him where fellow citizens' voices were silenced through expulsion simply because they disagreed with certain policies enforced upon them unilaterally without debate or discussion leaving many questioning democracy itself within our nation today especially when it comes under attack from forces inside its own borders seeking only power dominance over others rather than an open dialogue aimed at finding common ground among differing viewpoints ultimately creating unity not division amongst ourselves thereby strengthening us all together united far stronger now standing tall proud knowing full well that indeed freedom truly does reign supreme here within these walls where once only darkness ruled triumphant over all before her time had come at last to shine like never seen since then nor ever again shall she falter so long may we live forevermore Amen