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Tennessee Republicans Expel Democrats Over Gun Control Protest

Republicans in Tennessee expel two Democratic lawmakers for participating in a gun control protest, leading to accusations of racism and undemocratic behavior.

Tennessee Republicans Expel Democrats

In a rare and unprecedented move, Tennessee Republicans have expelled two Democratic lawmakers from the state legislature for participating in a protest demanding stricter gun control measures after a fatal school shooting in Nashville. Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, both Black, were ousted, while Rep. Gloria Johnson, who is white, narrowly survived the vote. The move has been widely criticized and accused of being racially motivated, but Republican leaders have denied these claims.

During the vote, the visitors’ gallery erupted in screams and boos, with people breaking into chants of “Shame!” and “Fascists!” The move has been seen as an extraordinary act of political retaliation, and lawmakers from both parties have condemned it. Banishment is a move that the chamber has used only a handful of times since the Civil War, and most state legislatures have the power to expel members but generally reserve it as a punishment for lawmakers accused of serious misconduct, not as a weapon against political opponents.

Republican Rep. Gino Bulso accused the three Democrats of “effectively conducting a mutiny.” The expelled lawmakers pledged to return to the Capitol next week advocating for change. They said the Republicans’ passing of resolutions to expel them was done in place of passing laws that would address red flags, banning assault weapons, and implementing universal background checks. Jones vowed to continue pressing for action on guns, even if expelled.

County commissions in the districts of the two lawmakers who were expelled get to pick replacements to serve until a special election can be scheduled, and they could opt to choose Jones and Pearson. They are also eligible to run in those races. Under the Tennessee Constitution, lawmakers cannot be expelled twice for the same offense.

During the discussion, Republican Rep. Sabi Kumar advised Jones to be more collegial and less focused on race. “You have a lot to offer, but offer it in a vein where people are accepting of your ideas,” Kumar said. Jones said he did not intend to assimilate to be accepted. “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to make a change for my community,” he replied.

In Washington, President Joe Biden also criticized the expulsions, calling them “shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent.” “Rather than debating the merits of the issue (of gun control), these Republican lawmakers have chosen to punish, silence, and expel duly-elected representatives of the people of Tennessee,” Biden said in a statement.

The move by Tennessee Republicans to expel two Democratic lawmakers from the state Legislature for participating in a protest demanding stricter gun control after a fatal school shooting in Nashville has drawn widespread criticism from politicians and the public alike.

The expelled lawmakers, Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, both of whom are Black, were accused of effectively conducting a mutiny by Republican Rep. Gino Bulso. A third Democrat, Rep. Gloria Johnson, who is white, narrowly survived the vote.

Republican leaders denied that race was a factor in the decision, but the split votes led to accusations of racism. Visitors to the gallery erupted in screams and boos following the final vote, with people breaking into chants of “Shame!” and “Fascists!”.

Many consider the move an extraordinary act of political retaliation, with some describing it as a weapon against political opponents. Banishment is a move that the chamber has used only a handful of times since the Civil War.

While most state legislatures have the power to expel members, it is generally reserved as a punishment for lawmakers accused of serious misconduct, not used as a weapon against political opponents.

Jones and Pearson pledged to return to the Capitol next week advocating for change, stating that the Republicans’ passing of resolutions to expel them was done in place of passing laws that would address red flags, banning assault weapons and universal background checks. Jones vowed to continue pressing for action on guns, even if expelled.

Republican Rep. Sabi Kumar advised Jones to be more collegial and less focused on race during discussions. “You have a lot to offer, but offer it in a vein where people are accepting of your ideas,” Kumar said. However, Jones said he did not intend to assimilate in order to be accepted. “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to make a change for my community,” he replied.

County commissions in the districts of the two lawmakers who were expelled get to pick replacements to serve until a special election can be scheduled, and they could opt to choose Jones and Pearson. They are also eligible to run in those races. Under the Tennessee Constitution, lawmakers cannot be expelled twice for the same offense.

In Washington, President Joe Biden criticized the expulsions, calling them “shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent.” “Rather than debating the merits of the issue (of gun control), these Republican lawmakers have chosen to punish, silence, and expel duly-elected representatives of the people of Tennessee,” Biden said in a statement.

The incident has reignited the debate on gun control in the United States. Mass shootings have been a frequent occurrence in the country, with some lawmakers calling for stricter gun control measures to curb gun violence.

Many have criticized the Republicans in Tennessee for their move to expel the lawmakers, stating that it was an abuse of power and a violation of democratic principles.

The incident has also highlighted the ongoing issue of racism in the United States, with many arguing that the decision to expel the Black lawmakers was racially motivated.

The United States has a long history of systemic racism, with Black Americans facing discrimination and prejudice in various spheres of life, including politics, education, and employment.

The incident in Tennessee has sparked a national conversation on race and politics, with many calling for more diversity and inclusivity in political institutions.

The events in Tennessee have also highlighted the importance of political activism and the need for citizens to hold their elected representatives accountable for their actions.

The incident serves as a reminder that democracy is a fragile institution that requires constant vigilance and protection. It is the responsibility of all citizens to uphold the principles of democracy and fight against abuses of power and violations of democratic norms. Possessing a weapon comes with responsibilities, from personal protection to recreational and competitive shooting. You can learn more about different types of firearms at https://460rowland.com.

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