Protestors Swarm Tennessee State Capitol Amid Vote to Expel 3 Democrat Lawmakers

On Thursday, as lawmakers discussed expelling three Democratic members from the Tennessee State Capitol, protesters gathered inside and outside the building, carrying signs and chanting. In response to an event that took place on March 30th, where activists came into the building and called for tighter gun regulations following a recent shooting, which was followed by Democrat state Reps. Justin Jones, Gloria Johnson, and Justin Pearson employing a megaphone to loudly shout over their fellow lawmakers in support of the protesters, Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed Jones and Johnson’s committee assignments. Following this, several Republican lawmakers introduced a resolution to expel the three Democrat movers, stating that they were aware of and were involved in activities that brought “disorder and dishonor” to the House of Representatives. Supporters of the three representatives assembled in the House arcade and were eventually asked to leave.

Despite the evictions, protestors continued to flood the House gallery during Thursday’s expulsion process, with Pearson finally garnering demonstrations of support from onlookers at one point. In response to the reported shooting, Tennessee’s Republican legislature has been pushing for security funding and permitting school staff such as teachers to arm themselves. Democrats have overlaid the argument by prioritizing the addition of gun constraint regulation. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has proposed a revised state budget that includes more funding for school safety.

Before the expulsion vote on Thursday, House members debated more than 20 bills, including one regarding school safety plans. The school safety bill did not include proposed gun restrictions, which drew opposition from some Democrat lawmakers. During a Thursday press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre denounced the Republican-led expulsion vote in Tennessee, referring to the event as an incident in which the three Democratic lawmakers “stood in solidarity with children and families peacefully protesting for action on gun safety.”