Two Tennessee lawmakers, Justin Pearson and Justin Jones, were expelled Thursday along with a third lawmaker, Gloria Johnson, for their part in the state's House of Representatives. Both are African Americans and had participated in a protest in favor of gun reforms at the Statehouse following the school shooting in Nashville in March that left six people dead, including three children.
Jones has indicated he intends to seek reappointment from the Nashville Metro Council while Pearson said he wants to get back to the legislature to continue fighting for gun reform. Democrats have noted that Pearson, Jones', and Johnson's platform has been magnified due to expulsion proceedings.
The two former Democratic Tennesse representatives criticized their state as "undemocratic" and "toxic," announcing plans on Sunday to run again if there is a special election held after they were expelled last week.
The expulsions sparked outrage across the Democrat party with many officials raising concerns about racism threatening democracy regarding this move against both lawmakers.
Pearson claims his constituents are now 'disenfranchised' by his expulsion while fellow Democratic State Rep., Justin Jones used a bullhorn during protests on House floor leading chants after activists stormed Capitol interrupting legislative session.
Black residents throughout Tennessee expressed anger toward Republican counterparts who expelled these representatives protesting gun violence last week; three legislators led supporters calling for stricter safety measures following mass shootings killing multiple adults & children within states boundaries recently.
Tennessee Speaker was accused by ousted lawmakers –Justin Jones & Justin Pearson– of treating legislature like personal palace during recent expulsion based over anti-gun protests using bullhorns inside assembly hall directly related towards racial discrimination issues prevalent here today