Chaos in the Tennessee House as Republicans vow to oust three Democrats over protest and lead chants for gun reform after the mass shooting in Nashville
- Republicans wanted to oust three Democrats from the Tennessee House on Monday
- It caused new chaos as they hit the floor with megaphones
- It follows a massive protest Thursday as protesters raided the Capitol
Republicans in Tennessee took the first step Monday to evict three Democratic lawmakers from the House for their roles as leaders of last week’s chaotic gun control protest at the Capitol.
Republicans accused Democrats of “disorderly conduct” during demonstrations following the deadly shooting at Covenant School last Thursday.
The extraordinary move sparked further unrest as Democratic members — Representatives Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson — used a megaphone to lead supporters in the public gallery in chants for gun reform.
It illustrates the unrest in Nashville after a gunman killed three children and three staff members last week and sparked mass protests.
Hundreds of people raided the Capitol last week demanding the Republican-led Statehouse pass gun control measures.
On Monday, Representatives Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson used a megaphone to lead supporters in the public gallery in chants for gun reform as they face eviction
The House leadership later described it as an “insurrection,” monkey talk used around the attack on the US Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump in January 2021.
On Monday, three Republicans introduced resolutions to evict the three Democrats and successfully requested an expedited process with a vote on Thursday.
The resolutions allege that the three “knowingly and willfully brought disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives,” according to the Tennesseean newspaper.
The result was another chaos Monday when the first resolution, targeting Pearson, was introduced.
Protesters shouted from the galleries, and Pearson raised his fist in salute, while other Democrats raised their hands to object.
The crowd chanted, “Fascists! Fascists!” and wagging their fingers and fists at the members. Instead, the speaker called for state troops to clear the House galleries.
Johnson later said she would consider a lawsuit if she was evicted, saying their protest was constitutionally protected.
“We’re going to push back and we’re going to fight this because it’s unprecedented and utterly ridiculous,” she told the Tennesseean.
Protesters last week as they gathered at the Tennessee State Capitol Building to demand action from lawmakers on gun control following the shooting at The Covenant School
Johnson with protesters at the state capitol building last week demanding gun reform
She accused the Republicans of double standards.
“We had a child molester over for years, they helped him get re-elected and did nothing to expel him,” she added.
“We made members pee in each other’s seats and nothing happened. But if you talk on the floor without permission, you will be expelled.”
House Speaker Cameron Sexton also announced that the three lawmakers had lost their committee duties and said more sentences could be on the way.
A few hours later, Jeremy Faison, chairman of the House Republican Caucus, referred to Jones as the “former representative” during the evening session.
Lawmakers leave Monday evening after protests in the chamber
After the votes, House Democrats said they supported the three.
“The Democratic Caucus has formally voted unanimously to oppose the baseless eviction resolutions and will vigorously oppose them should they vote in the House of Representatives,” they said in a statement.
The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators also protested the resolutions.
This political retaliation is unconstitutional and morally bankrupt at this time.
“The people who elected us are calling for meaningful action to end gun violence and the people have a right to be heard through their duly elected representatives.”