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Nashville, Tennessee (AP) — Two former black Democrats ousted by their Republican colleagues in Tennessee Says he hopes to be reappointed and then return to the seat after being ousted in a protest in the House of Representatives urge passage of gun control measures Following the deadly school shooting.
Nashville’s Metro Council may reappoint Justin Jones to the seat at a specially convened meeting Monday. Shelby County Commissioner Mikkel Rowley said in a statement Sunday that the Commission will consider whether to reappoint Memphis native Justin Pearson to his seat at its meeting Wednesday.
Lowry said he understands the need to deal with those who have “violated the rules” of the House of Representatives.
“But I think the ousting of Rep. Justin Pearson was done hastily without considering other avenues of remediation. he said.
Both former lawmakers told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday that they want to return to their seats as lawmakers.
Expulsion makes Tennessee the new front line in the fight for America’s democratic futureThe former lawmakers quickly amassed a prominent following.President Joe Biden spoke to them and Vice President Kamala Harris visited them in Nashville.
“As you know, we will continue to fight for our voters,” Jones said. “And what I’m trying to say is… this attack on us is hurting everyone in our state. This is hurting poor white people. Their attacks on democracy hurt us all.”
On Thursday’s separate vote, an overwhelming Republican majority ousted Jones and Pearson, leaving nearly 140,000 voters in the predominantly black neighborhoods of Nashville and Memphis with no representation in the House.
Pearson and Jones were expelled in retaliation for their role in the protest the week before. This unfolded in the aftermath of a school shooting in Nashville that left six people dead, including three young students and three adults working at the school. The shooter was killed by police.
A third Democrat, Rep. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, escaped expulsion by one vote. Johnson is white, fueling protests over the disparate results of two young black lawmakers. Republican lawmakers who split the vote cited Johnson’s claims on the floor that her role in the protests was smaller – for example, she didn’t speak into a megaphone.
Johnson also suggested that race was likely the reason Jones and Pearson were expelled, but told reporters it “may have something to do with the color of our skin” rather than her. rice field.
Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton said it was a “false narrative.”
“Unfortunately she’s trying to put political racism in this, but there was nothing in this,” Sexton told Fox News on Friday.
Republican leaders say expulsions have taken place only a handful of times since the Civil War, but they are necessary to avoid setting a precedent in which lawmakers’ protests disrupt the proceedings of the House of Representatives. rice field.
Pearson said the state capitol is a “toxic work environment.” He noted that he was criticized for wearing a black dashiki (a tunic-like garment originating in West Africa) at the session instead of a suit and tie.
Pearson told Meet the Press, “It’s because we don’t belong in institutions because we’re afraid of the changes that are happening in society and the rising voices.
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