Amariyah Mallory 
Last week, Tennessee’s republican lead house of representatives voted to expel two Black lawmakers – Justin Jones, and Justin Pearson. Jones was the first to be expelled in a two-thirds majority vote cast by their Republican colleagues.
Three of the state representatives, democrats Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Johnson lead a gun reform protest against the chamber after the events that occurred in Memphis that left six dead after another mass shooting. Only two out of three representatives were up for expulsion, Johnson, the white representative, was not punished for her role in the protest. Johnson was asked why there was a difference in the outcome for her and Jones and she responded saying, ”It might have to do with the color of our skin.”
President Joe Biden commented on the proceedings in Nashville in a tweet.
Three kids and three officials gunned down in yet another mass shooting.
And what are GOP officials focused on?
Punishing lawmakers who joined thousands of peaceful protesters calling for action.
It's shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent. https://t.co/NB9gSdFI9h
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 6, 2023
Days after expulsion Jones was reinstated as interim representative after an unanimous vote by the Nashville Metropolitan Council to reappoint him.
Speaking from the steps of the Capitol, Jones told the crowd, “Today we are sending a resounding message that democracy will not be killed in the comfort of silence. Today we send a clear message to Speaker Cameron Sexton that the people will not allow his crimes against democracy to happen without challenge.”
By Amariyah Mallory, Freshman, Whitney Young
IG: Dancemari_
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