MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee Republican leadership removed three Democratic lawmakers from their committees and subcommittees on Monday days after peaceful protests at the state capitol.
A spokesperson for the state house confirmed Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville), Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) and Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) had been removed from their respective committees.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) said the three were removed from their committees for "rushing the well" and "leading a protest" on the House floor with a bullhorn.
"Their actions are and will always be unacceptable, and they break several rules of decorum and procedure on the House floor," he said on Monday.
Days after The Covenant School shooting in Nashville, hundreds of people protested inside and outside the capitol as the legislature began taking up bills on Thursday.
"We're seeing too many murders. Gun violence is an epidemic. And if we continue to support laws and leaders who keep the status quo, who do not resist the NRA, who do not resist those who would like to put policies and practices in place that make us less safe, instead of policies and practices in place that make us safer, and instead of making our schools to be fortresses, making them places of opportunity for kids to learn, we will continue to be in this very sad and dark and tragic place," said Pearson during a news conference Monday.
Johnson said she spent some time with the protestors inside the rotunda before the session started, talking to a few about why they were there. She said the three wanted to welcome and honor the protestors on the floor but said their voices were shut down.
"And then there was no opportunities to speak on the floor, and to even address it then. And then we had a bill about vouchers. And they wouldn't call on several of us to allow us to speak on issues affecting our community. And at that point, we just said, you know, between the next bills, let's walk up to the well, and acknowledge that there are people out there that care deeply about their children and their community," she said.
Johnson said the three anticipated their microphone being cut, so one of the members brought a small bullhorn with them to continue speaking. In an interview with 10News, Johnson said that the three knew they were breaking a House rule.
"I fully acknowledge that. But I broke that rule in order to fight for Tennessee's children, Tennessee's teachers, Tennessee's churches. We have got to address this issue. And we have got to make sure that both sides of the aisle are talking about this issue. And I will break protocol if I need to to fight for Tennessee kids," she said. "2000 people were outside the doors begging us to talk about gun violence. The least we could do is acknowledge that they were there... that they cared and they're fighting for their community."
Senator London Lamar posted a video via Twitter of her with protestors on Monday:
The ACLU of Tennessee also released a statement from their executive director Kathy Sinback:
“Trying to expel three lawmakers without due process for amplifying the voices of their constituents in a peaceful, non-violent manner undermines democracy. Expulsion is an extreme measure that is used very infrequently in our state and our country because it strips voters of representation by the people they elected. Instead of rushing to expel members for expressing their ethical convictions about crucial social issues, House leadership should turn to solving the real challenges facing our state."
Sam McKenzie, Chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators also released a statement:
We fundamentally object to any effort to expel members for making their voices heard to end gun violence. This political retribution is unconstitutional and, in this moment, morally bankrupt.
The people who elected us are calling for meaningful action to end gun violence.
The House speaker should be leading a real bipartisan discussion to generate reforms that could stop the next school shooting. Instead, he's using his power to silence people who are calling for solutions that he opposes.
Rep. Justin Jones, Rep. Justin Pearson and Rep. Gloria Johnson have already been sanctioned by the Speaker of the House by their removal from committees and subcommittees. Removing these members from the General Assembly will deny more than 200,000 Tennesseans their voice in the legislature, many of whom are African Americans.
The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators stands firmly with the people. Do not deny the people their representation.
