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TN -- April 7, 2023: In a controversial move, two black Democratic lawmakers in Tennessee, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, have been expelled from the state's House of Representatives by Republican lawmakers.
However, fellow white Democratic representative Gloria Johnson survived the expulsion vote by just one vote.
The three representatives had participated in a protest on the House floor last week following a deadly school shooting in Nashville. The protest was a call for action on gun control measures in the wake of the tragedy. However, the Republicans accused the Democrats of disrupting the proceedings of the House, leading to the expulsion of Jones and Pearson.
The decision to expel the two black representatives has sparked widespread outrage and allegations of racism from Democrats across the state and the country. Many have pointed out that the Republicans' decision to expel the two black representatives while sparing the white one sends a disturbing message about the state's commitment to racial justice.
Jones and Pearson had been outspoken advocates for gun control measures and had been working to pass legislation that would make it more difficult for individuals with a history of domestic violence or mental illness to obtain firearms. Johnson, who also participated in the protest, has been a longtime advocate for gun control and has introduced several bills aimed at reducing gun violence in the state.
In a statement following the expulsion vote, Johnson expressed disappointment at the Republicans' decision to expel her colleagues, saying, "I am deeply troubled by the actions taken by my Republican colleagues today. We were simply exercising our right to peaceful protest and calling for action on an issue that is of great importance to the people of Tennessee."
The move by the Republican lawmakers has highlighted the deep partisan and racial divide on the issue of gun control in Tennessee and across the country. While Democrats have been calling for stricter gun control measures in the wake of the recent spate of mass shootings, Republicans have been pushing back, arguing that such measures infringe on Second Amendment rights.
The decision to expel the two black representatives has also raised questions about the role of race in politics and the extent to which black voices are silenced in the political arena. As the nation continues to grapple with issues of racial justice and equality, the expulsion of Jones and Pearson serves as a stark reminder that there is still much work to be done to ensure that all voices are heard and all individuals are treated fairly and equitably.
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