Tennessee oust vote: 2 of 3 Democrats ousted after protesting gun violence, 1 allowed to stay

Nashville, Tennessee — Two Democrats were expelled from the Republican-controlled Tennessee House of Representatives, and one was allowed to remain in what would be the first partisan expulsion in the state’s modern history.

Rep. Gloria Johnson, the legislator who survived the expulsion motion, denied allegations that she screamed out of the well and said she broke the courtesy of the House in an effort necessary to cause “good trouble.”

“All my friends at school called me ‘law and order kid’ because I follow the rules. I know it happens,” she said.

“I may have broken the rules, but the words in this document are false and I have no choice but to speak on behalf of voters in my district who have begged me to take this issue forward. HR64 would have banished her from the legislature.

Rep. Justin Jones, the first legislator to be ousted when a state legislator voted to adopt HR65, described the resolution as a “spectacle” and “not to lynch me, but to the democratic process.” A lynching mob that has come together to

“I called for a ban on offensive weapons and a response with attacks on democracy,” Jones said in his 20-minute opening statement.

Following the adoption of the expulsion resolution, Mr Jones said his ouster “only sets a precedent that any legislator who voices dissent or dissent can be expelled from the legislature”. .

“Whether I’m part of the internal community or the external community, I stand with those who want change, because it’s not the end. But today is a very dangerous day for America. ‘ he said. Post-voting hallway interview, according to NewsNation.

President Joe Biden said the move to oust Jones was “shocking, undemocratic and unprecedented,” and Tennessee Republicans called for “thousands to call for action,” rather than push for reform. He said he was focused on “punishing lawmakers who joined as many as peaceful protesters.”

Early in Thursday’s session, the legislature passed HB322, a bill requiring schools to implement a number of safety plans and security systems over objections from three members facing expulsion. .

“This bill is not about school safety, it’s not about ensuring the safety of our students,” Jones said, adding that the move to “make our schools into militarized zones” was “to the military level.” It arose out of a refusal to address the real issue of easy access to This allows easy access to weapons of war on the street. ”

Former teacher Johnson denounced the possibility of “a shootout at the door of our school building,” while the last of the trio, Rep. The cause is this gun violence epidemic, do it for the proliferation of guns.”

“We don’t need a solution that says people shouldn’t go to school or home or go to areas with weapons of war if they don’t lock their doors or catch people with guns.” Pearson added.

Protesters gathered inside the gallery and were told to keep quiet, but there was a large group outside, clearly supporting three Democratic lawmakers.

Jones, Johnson and Pearson are facing expulsion votes last week for allegedly violating the House’s rules of civility by participating in a gun control protest at the state capitol. In the wake of the March 27 Covenant school shooting in Nashville, a former student shot dead three children and three adults, police said.

Last week, when demonstrators thronged the halls of the Capitol and galleries calling for tougher gun control, only one Democratic lawmaker was allowed to respond to gun laws.

Others, especially young progressives like freshmen Rep. Pearson and Jones, also wanted to speak, but were banned by Republican leaders.

So during the intermission, the duo, along with Johnson, used the House wells to demand action. He turned off his mic and brought a megaphone to lead the chant.

Days later, Republican lawmakers from Tennessee Bud Halsey, Gino Bruso, and Andrew Farmer sponsored Monday’s expulsion resolution. They argued that Democratic lawmakers “willfully and deliberately brought disorder and dishonor to the House through their individual and collective actions.”

Hulsey, Bulso and Farmer did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.

Republican state legislators, including Speaker Cameron Sexton, are trying to instigate riots by likening their actions to the violent riots on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to ABC affiliate WKRN. criticizing the trio as

Since the Civil War, the Tennessee legislature has voted only twice to expel members.

As of Thursday, the trio of Democrats said they had already lost ID access to the state capitol and were stripped of their commission duties.

But Pearson and Johnson told ABC News they wouldn’t hesitate to fight for voters no matter what the outcome of the eviction vote.

“If we are kicked out Thursday, we can expect the protests to continue building resistance and advocacy for our community and the people we care about,” Pearson said.

“This can’t stop me,” Johnson said.

ABC News’ Sarah Beth Guevara and Nakela Carter contributed to this report.