Republican legislators in Tennessee voted Thursday to expel two Black Democrats from the state House over their protests on the chamber floor against gun violence last week, while a vote to expel a third white Democratic representative fell short.
It’s the first time in state history that Tennessee House members have been expelled for alleged chamber rules violations.
In the first vote, Republicans expelled Rep. Justin Jones. The second vote, to kick out Rep. Gloria Johnson, failed. Republicans then voted to remove Rep. Justin Pearson.
Jones and Pearson are Black. Johnson is white.
Cheers erupted in the chamber with chants of “Gloria!” after the tally was announced, followed by chants of “Shame on you!” after Pearson was removed.
The House voted 72-25 along party lines to expel Jones. The effort to remove Johnson fell short of the two-thirds majority needed. That vote was 65-30. Pearson was removed in a 69-26 vote.
The resolutions accused each of the Democratic lawmakers of engaging in “disorderly behavior” and purposely bringing “disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives” during protests against gun violence on the state House floor last week.
The votes drew attention to the partisan divisions that have rankled the Tennessee Legislature in recent months.
Chants from protesters — many of whom touted signs defending the “Tennessee three” — were audible throughout the entire legislative session Thursday. Organizers said hundreds were present.
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