Tennessee Democratic state lawmaker Justin Jones regained his seat in the state House of Representatives on Monday after he was ousted for leading a provocative anti-gun control protest last week. Thirty-six representatives voted in favor of his reinstatement.
The Nashville state representative was not the only one to be ousted from the Tennessee Capitol. Fellow party member Justin Pearson (Memphis) was also voted out for co-leading the protest. A third Democratic Party state legislator, Gloria Johnson, avoided expulsion by a single vote. The altercations came just days after a trans woman killed six people at a Christian school in Nashville.
Jones, who behaved aggressively during the protests, didn't hold back after regaining his seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives. "No expulsion, no attempt to silence us will stop us, but only galvanize and strengthen our movement. Power to the people!" he proclaimed from the stand.
The Republican majority in the Tennessee House of Representatives issued a statement clarifying that all legislators must comply with state laws while welcoming Jones back after his reinstatement:
The following is a joint statement by House Majority Leader William Lamberth and Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison. pic.twitter.com/DzObeB1twQ
— TN House Republicans (@tnhousegop) April 10, 2023
Last March 30, 1,000 protestors stormed the Tennessee Capitol to demand more control over firearms. During the rally, protesters rebuked Republican lawmakers and Democratic representatives joined the agitators. They took to the stage with a megaphone to lead the protesters in chants for gun reform. They also staged altercations when the House decided to vote on April 3 on their possible expulsion. Joe Biden condemned the expulsion of Jones and Pearson. "It is shocking, undemocratic and unprecedented," the president stated.
