When the Tennessee students held their anti-gun violence protests at the state Capitol, some of their Democratic representatives stood with them. Now the Republicans are trying to go full fascist on them, as State Justin Jones explains. The other two law makers being targeted are State Representatives Justin J. Pearson and Gloria Johnson.
In retaliation for their opposition, Speaker Cameron Sexton tried to silence these Democrats by stripping them of committee assignments, not letting them speak and not letting them vote:
WATCH: “This is not a democracy. It’s a very sad day for Tennessee.” @RepRagan refuses to recognize @VoteGloriaJ & @brotherjones_ after Speaker @CSexton25 removed them from committees for their role in the peaceful protest last week.
Troopers then remove constituents. pic.twitter.com/obzDNhlLkI
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 3, 2023
The three targeted lawmakers did not go silently but did their jobs, standing up and speaking for the constituents, whether or not the Republicans wanted to hear it. For this, Sexton labelled them as “insurrectionists” and took steps to have them expelled from the House. It is reported that he has the votes to do so:
We’re hearing the motion to expel @brotherjones_ @Justinjpearson @VoteGloriaJ for speaking up after being silenced will happen today, and that Speaker @CSexton25 has the votes. Call your reps.
Fascism reigns in Tennessee.
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 3, 2023
The people of Tennessee need to continue demonstrating with peaceful protests to show these brown shirts why the state capitol is called The People’s House and that there are things that speak louder than the the stipend checks they receive from the NRA. And for crying out loud, vote these jerks out.
