Tennessee Democrats face House expulsion vote after gun control protest

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) – The Republican Party that controls the Tennessee House of Representatives on Thursday became the first of three Democrats to citing their role in last week’s gun control demonstration at the state Capitol. voted to expel Justin Jones.

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the state capitol at last Thursday’s protests, four days after a Nashville school shooting killed three 9-year-olds and three school workers. rushed.

Three Democrats took to the House floor, using loudspeakers to lead the protesters and call for tougher gun control. In a resolution calling for their expulsion, Republicans accused the three of engaging in “disorderly conduct” and said they “willfully and intentionally brought disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives through their individual and collective actions.” Stated.

The expulsion vote targeted Congressmen Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, and Justin Pearson. They say participating in protests falls within your First Amendment right, your constitutional right to free speech.

“A week after a shooting that claimed the lives of six people in our community, House Republicans have no choice but to expel us for calling for gun control with voters,” Jones tweeted this week. It’s morally insane to say it didn’t: “What’s happening in Tennessee is a clear danger to democracy throughout this nation.”

Protesters regrouped outside the Capitol on Thursday in the rain to fill a gallery above the House floor with signs supporting tougher gun control.

Republican Rep. Andrew Farmer, Gino Bruso, and Bud Halsey introduced three resolutions Monday to oust their Democratic colleagues. Monday’s resolution was passed by 72 to 23 in a preliminary vote in line with party line.

Only two Tennessee legislators have been deposed by their peers since the Civil War era. For one, she demanded bribes instead of blocking the law in 1980, and for another, she was accused of sexual misconduct by numerous women in 2016. Both expulsions were made with overwhelming bipartisan votes.

Democrats in Tennessee are raising money to support Johnson, Jones, and Pearson in the post-expulsion special election.

Reported by Brad Brooks.Edited by Mark Porter and Diane Kraft

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