Array
Washington, United States — Tennessee’s Republican-led state legislature on Thursday expelled two Democratic lawmakers who led gun control protests at the state capitol in the wake of a school shooting.
US President Joe Biden condemned the action as “shocking” and an effort “to punish, silence and expel duly-elected representatives of the people of Tennessee.”
The pair were among what became known as the “Tennessee three” — a trio of representatives who led protest chants a week ago from the House floor using a bullhorn, as peaceful demonstrators rallied in the gallery of the Nashville capitol building.
The three had not been recognized to speak and were accused of breaching House decorum and floor rules.
Lawmakers voted along mostly party lines to expel Justin Jones (72 to 25) and Justin Pearson (69 to 26). A vote to expel the third member of the group, Gloria Johnson, failed (65 to 30). Expulsion requires a two-thirds majority of the 99-member House.
