VIDEO: Reinstated Tennessee Democrat Claims Triumph Over ‘White Supremacy’ and ‘Patriarchy’

Voters Reinstate Expelled Tennessee‍ Democrat, ​Defying Status Quo

“It is ​a good testament to​ the power of ⁣democracy and what a community and what community against the status quo of⁢ white supremacy, against the status quo of patriarchy, ⁤can‌ do,” state⁢ representative Justin Pearson, who‌ represents ‍parts of Memphis and won a special election ‍this week to serve the remainder ‌of his term, told ⁢ Scripps News.

Voters on Thursday reinstated a Tennessee Democrat who was​ expelled earlier this year from the State Legislature, leading him to declare victory over ⁤the ‌”status quo‌ of white supremacy” and “status quo of patriarchy.”

Defying Extremist Republicans

Voters on Thursday also‍ returned Pearson’s fellow Democratic representative Justin Jones ‌to the Legislature, a move‍ that he said sends “a message to ‍extremist Republicans.”

The Tennessee House earlier this year expelled Pearson and Jones ‍for violating the⁢ chamber’s rules​ during a protest over gun violence. Pearson and Jones used a bullhorn to lead protesters who were swarming the chamber, drawing comparisons to‍ the January ⁢6,⁣ 2021, Capitol riot. Videos ⁢taken at the scene showed protesters “charging⁤ at police officers, joining the ‌three ​Democrats in screaming chants, and blocking a⁣ doorway to ​prevent lawmakers from​ exiting,” the Washington Free Beacon reported.

Republicans who expelled ⁤the two men​ said Pearson ⁤and Jones’s conduct disrupted⁢ the ‍work ‍of the⁤ House and was a severe⁤ breach⁢ of decorum. A third Democrat, Gloria Johnson,⁣ joined⁢ the protest but narrowly escaped expulsion.

Return to Power

The event took place on March 30 ⁣following ​a‌ Nashville school ‌ shooting,​ committed by a ⁤transgender person, that killed three children ​and three⁣ adults.

Within a few‌ days, local officials ​in Pearson’s district voted to ⁢return him to ‍his seat under a⁤ provision in⁤ the state ⁣constitution that lets district-level officials fill‍ legislative vacancies until they hold special elections. Pearson ​and Jones won their districts’ special elections on Thursday.