Justin Jones is reinstated
By a majority vote of 36 to zero, Justin Jones was reinstated to his House seat that Tennessee Republicans had taken away from him last week.
They had expelled Jones and Justin Pearson, both young Black male lawmakers, from the State Senate for violating the Senate’s decorum by using bullhorns to speak from the well of the Senate. They resorted to using bullhorns when their personal microphones were shut off.
A colleague, Gloria Johnson, who also joined an anti-gun violence protest in the Senate, survived expulsion by one vote.
She said Jones and Pearson were forced out because of the color of their skin.
The reinstatement set off a wild celebration with Jones kissing and hugging supporters. Pearson is expected to be reinstated Tuesday or Wednesday.
Pearson and Jones used bullhorns to get the attention of their fellow Senators. Senate leaders called the use of bullhorns a violation of decorum, saying their behavior caused their expulsion.
The two men wanted to discuss the recent mass shooting in Nashville in which six people were shot including three children.
President Joe Biden condemned Republican lawmakers’ actions Thursday evening.
“Three kids and three officials gunned down in yet another mass shooting,†Biden wrote on Twitter. “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.â€
Tennessee State Police stood shoulder to shoulder to block the entrance to the state house and supporters shouted their disapproval from outside the building and the inner balcony.
After Johnson was saved by one vote, members of the audience chanted “Gloria.â€
Pearson said Tennessee is where the Klu Klux Klan, a White terrorist organization, was founded and called the expulsion an act of White supremacy and an example of the White male patriarchy.
MSNBC commentator Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, said Tennessee Republicans believed the Black men “were too uppity.”