It is obvious- their pure, unadulterated racism.
These two young Black Male Legislators were amazing. We are seeing them grow in front of our eyes.
Wow: Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones, one of the Dems that the GOP is trying to expel from state legislature to protesting gun violence, calls out his colleagues on the floor
āFor years, one of your colleagues, an admitted child molester, sat in this chamber ā no expulsionā pic.twitter.com/KNDrhX3gl1
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 6, 2023
NOW: āIām about to speak because the people of district 52 sent me here to speak. Speaker Sexton is not my constituent, Speaker Sexton is not a king, Speaker Sexton is not Godā – Rep. Justin Jones
(You can watch this happening live below)https://t.co/DSbvKDj8Rd pic.twitter.com/VvrnQsK7jC
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 6, 2023
A Republican state representative asked Rep. Justin Jones what he means by the chant āNo Justice, No Peace.ā
His response is worth hearing in full: pic.twitter.com/NfhITMiQGc
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 6, 2023
Tennessee Republicans have a supermajority. There is nothing Democrats can stop. They chose to expel these young brothas because they had the temerity to speak truth to power. The gun control activism among young white people these legislators amplify terrifies them. pic.twitter.com/12fThfDjjp
— Skeptical Brotha ššš (@skepticalbrotha) April 7, 2023
Tennessee state Rep. John Ray Clemmons vehemently objects to ending the floor debate on whether to expel 3 Democratic lawmakers after they participated in a gun control protest at the state Capitol.
"Grow up, get out of here! You don't belong here," he tells House Republicans. pic.twitter.com/A6lEMxXRFb
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 6, 2023
BREAKING: Tennessee House Republicans vote to expel the first of three Democratic lawmakers after they participated in a gun control protest at the state Capitol following the Nashville school shooting. https://t.co/XjUhpYlj9Z pic.twitter.com/FZHpqqNBou
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 6, 2023
Wake up White People, Contrarians, so called āIndependentsā, Free Thinkers and Non-Voters!
As stated at the end āitās starting in Tennessee but it wonāt end hereā pic.twitter.com/l2T3G1O7Es
— Candidly Tiff (@tify330) April 6, 2023
Reporter asks Rep. Gloria Johnson why she thinks there was a difference between her outcome and Rep. Justin Jones
Rep Johnson: "I'll answer your question; it might have to do with the color of our skin." pic.twitter.com/8fyIRRqP0S
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 6, 2023
Rep Justin Jones. Expelled.
Rep Justin Pearson. Expelled.
Rep Gloria Johnson. *NOT* expelled. pic.twitter.com/OzzEabnbIO
— Renee (@PettyLupone) April 7, 2023
Biden and Harris should campaign in-person for all three. Make this a national issue. https://t.co/9OmGkFU845
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) April 6, 2023
Incredible scene at the Tennessee State Capitol.
Representative Justin Jones (@brotherjones_ ) greets supporters after being expelled from the TN House of Representatives. pic.twitter.com/xOgmDayXG4
— Garrison Hayes (@garrison_hayes) April 6, 2023
Gotta say, this feels like a video I'm going to see 40 years from now in some documentary about the battle for American democracy and equality in the 2020s. https://t.co/vUimqR7Vxh
— Erika D. Smith š¦ (@Erika_D_Smith) April 7, 2023
Tennessee Republicans just removed 2 black men from their elected office for protesting with gun control advocatesā just days after a mass shooting in Nashville.
This is not only anti-democracy and blatantly unconstitutional, but itās extremely racially charged.
Despicable. pic.twitter.com/TDOgEgZHq3
— Olivia Julianna š³ (@0liviajulianna) April 7, 2023
Justin Pearson and Justin Jones. There is a reason Republicans expelled them. They're Black. They are better, more talented, and braver than Republicans ever dream of being. And they ā along with every Gen Z-er ā are about to be Republicans' worst nightmare. pic.twitter.com/8nDGdp85kS
— Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) April 7, 2023
I know this is serious but why does this look like a video shot in the 70s? https://t.co/IMWWfZ99oZ
— Leaundra Ross šššā¾ļø (@LeaundraRoss) April 7, 2023
What happened in Tennessee is the latest example of a broader erosion of civility and democratic norms. Silencing those who disagree with us is a sign of weakness, not strength, and it wonāt lead to progress.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 7, 2023
Ok – here we go. We were able to create a link to give to both Justin Pearson and Justin Jones.
The Republicans can kick them out, but they can't stop them from running in the special election.
Let's go!https://t.co/pnL9sQLw9H pic.twitter.com/iPAsGOOX4d
— Chris Murphy š§ (@ChrisMurphyCT) April 7, 2023
Earlier, I spoke to Reps Jones, Pearson, and Johnson to thank them for their leadership and courage in the face of a blatant disregard of our nationās democratic values.
Our country needs to take action on gun violence ā to do that we need more voices like theirs speaking out. pic.twitter.com/oQl9jQSOy1
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 7, 2023
Jones: What we were saying was let us pass an assault weapons ban and they responded by assaulting democracy pic.twitter.com/uFnPdMU89R
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 6, 2023
My Lord, Rep. Jones has been expelled. The voices of the people has been silenced. Democracy has been squashed. I cry tears of sadness & frustration for what my state has become. This unprecedented move disrespects the body of the #TNleg. Itās a hard day to be a state legislator pic.twitter.com/CQJoNiAngU
— Senator Raumesh Akbari (@SenAkbari) April 6, 2023
So we just all saw what happened in Tennessee. Are we going to keep playing like not voting doesnāt have consequences? How racism is the bedrock of the GOP? How the GOP just expelled 2 Black men for using their 1st amendment rights? pic.twitter.com/HbuZcftu6l
— colorfullstory (@colorfullstory) April 7, 2023
So, the racist, fascist sons of bitches in the Tennessee House voted to expel the two black men, but not the white woman?! Republicans are out of control. Can nothing be done to corral them?! #TennesseeTwo https://t.co/UWH4bUmfBn
— Kenny BooYah! šš¾ (@KwikWarren) April 7, 2023
Tennessee Republicans fail to expel Tennessee Rep. Gloria Johnson.
So, it looks like the only two people being expelled today will be the two Black guys. How predictable. https://t.co/H7J1FpqSy5
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) April 6, 2023
This is so powerful pic.twitter.com/J4SZZtyK0C
— Qondi š¤ (@QondiNtini) April 6, 2023
Justin Pearson is a powerful orator pic.twitter.com/jKkgZJ8KHI
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 7, 2023
Whatās happening in Tennessee is simply unacceptable.
May the Republican Party never again know a day of peace from all the voices fighting back to regain every single inch of our democracy.pic.twitter.com/Gf7bwG6mh2
— Renee (@PettyLupone) April 6, 2023
Iām not a lawyer but this seems unconstitutional and like the Black and Brown, hell ALL of the democratic voters of Tennessee have been disenfranchised by having their lawmakers they voted for expelled for no good reason. Lawyers weigh in, what can be done? https://t.co/sNaWLxqQ6q
— Michelle_BYoung (@michelle_byoung) April 6, 2023
We are about to LOSE OUR DEMOCRACY because white people canāt give up guns and White Supremacy. Shameful Tennessee just SHAMEFUL
— Michelle_BYoung (@michelle_byoung) April 6, 2023
I am deeply troubled and angered by what is happening in Tennessee.
It is one more flashpoint of the undemocratic forces at work in our country. Craven politicians shouldn't be able to subvert the PEOPLE'S voice.
It is undemocratic.
It is un-American.
It is unacceptable. https://t.co/e7vze46QXn— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) April 6, 2023
This is Shameful. #TemperTantrum ā¦ thatās what Rep Andrew Farmer who is a straight up bigot, called the activities of his colleagues. Heās determined to put them ātwo boysā in their place. https://t.co/mjitRb29aQ #Tennessee #TennesseeHouse
— Cynthia Scott (@BombshellNana) April 6, 2023
Hearing from multiple members of the Congressional Black Caucus that CBC members led by @StevenHorsford will convene an emergency call w/the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators and leadership of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators tonight at 8:30pm.
— Symone D. Sanders Townsend (@SymoneDSanders) April 6, 2023
2 Black men were publicly lynched in the Tennessee State House today. What now? Who are we going to appeal to? We donāt have a Supreme Court. Itās gone! God help us all. #TheTennesseeThree pic.twitter.com/t4I4piHppf
— 3ChicsPolitico (@3ChicsPolitico) April 7, 2023
Tennessee, interpretation pic.twitter.com/mGxJrTmwA9
— Nicole Winston (@strayoftheworld) April 7, 2023
The DNC is already working with & supporting the @tndp but I will also send $5k to support TN Dems! Folks letās go all inā¦ letās show the Republicans that their efforts wonāt win! https://t.co/3Tcc3nLWzw
— Jaime Harrison (@harrisonjaime) April 7, 2023
āIf there is no struggle, there is no progress.ā – Frederick Douglass āš¾āš¾
(Expelled TN Rep. Justin Jones pictured holding photo of Rep. John Lewis, Black History Month 2023). pic.twitter.com/U0WzyoHHtG
— Madam Auntie VP Kamala Harris is THEE GOAT! (@flywithkamala) April 7, 2023
By expelling two Black members of the āTennessee Threeā instead of taking action to stop school shootings, Republicans just gave the Democratic Party bright young new heroes for the future!
Thank you Justin Jones, Justin Pearson and Gloria Johnson! āš¾ pic.twitter.com/zwOVpvFEVj
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) April 7, 2023
You know how it is with family. https://t.co/4ygH1OMEQt
— Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) April 7, 2023
Yep
āWhereād you learn to read, ni88er?!ā ā Tennessee Legislature Vibes
— Madam Auntie VP Kamala Harris is THEE GOAT! (@flywithkamala) April 7, 2023
Uh huh
This expulsion of 2 Black state legislators by white TN GOPers hits at 2 issues that motivate Gen Z & Dems in general: gun control and racism. On top of that, Dobbs is driving Dems and is helping them make persuasion gains. The cultural issues for '24 favor the Dems, not the GOP. https://t.co/TKPOcFx7Zu
— Blank Slate (@blankslate2017) April 7, 2023
Excellent post, Rikyrah. Here in the US, this is the most important story of the week.
These Republican state legislatures are a real problem these days. They have no boundaries whatsoever. Theyāre going for broke because itās now or never. They intend to destroy democracy to save white supremacy.
Itās not hard to see why these GOP white supremacists in Tennessee are so afraid. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson are reminiscent of the civil rights leaders. And Pearson is quite the orator. The GOP white supremacists believe they have to be ever vigilant, or they could end up with another MLK Jr, Malcolm X, Fred Hampton or, God forbid, a Barack Obama.
These people are racist down to the marrow in their bones. Itās in their red and white blood cells. It’s in their platelets. Itās all they know.
But I think they overreached. In their haste to eliminate and silence the two brothers, they conflated their racism with gun control issues that have growing support as the body count steadily rises.
They made a mistake, a tactical error and the whole nation is watching.
No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) tweeted at 6:27 PM on Fri, Apr 07, 2023:
Breaking News: A Shelby County commissioner says the Republican state government is now threatening to pull funding for Memphis schools and infrastructure projects if they vote to re-appoint Rep. Justin Pearson to his democratically-elected seat. https://t.co/YgH3musZR3
(https://twitter.com/NoLieWithBTC/status/1644482068548575232?s=02)
All the Nopes in Nopeville
Hell muthaphuckin’ NOš š
That Mayor of Memphis better ask somebodyš š
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTRcvwWtd/
Kayla Solomon (@KSolomonReports) tweeted at 4:49 PM on Fri, Apr 07, 2023:
BREAKING: A Shelby County commissioner told @FOX13Memphis on Friday that Nashville leaders are threatening to take away funding from Memphis and other Shelby County projects if the county commission decides to reinstate expelled @Justinjpearson
https://t.co/698BZ1VZDZ?
(https://twitter.com/KSolomonReports/status/1644457272133709825?s=02)
I went to the Hood grocery store today.
Got me some:
Pan sausage
Mississippi sausage
Rind-on bacon
Fresh cut pork steaks
IYKYKššš
Maurice W (@iamMauriceW) tweeted at 2:13 PM on Fri, Apr 07, 2023:
Watch both Justinās get their seats back, making it that the only thing these racist Tennessee Republicans accomplished, was removing their robes and hoods for the world to see, thus showing exactly who and what they areā¦ all while introducing the amazing Justinās to everyone.
(https://twitter.com/iamMauriceW/status/1644418100664705053?s=02)
Debby Williams šš¼šøš¤ (@dwilliams1210) tweeted at 2:54 PM on Fri, Apr 07, 2023:
Nashville Council members to send Justin Jones back to Tennessee House https://t.co/pRTY8PvAPx
(https://twitter.com/dwilliams1210/status/1644428372687089673?s=02)
Kirsten Allen (@KirstenAllen46) tweeted at 4:07 PM on Fri, Apr 07, 2023:
.@VP is wheels down in Nashville, headed to meet with state legislators. https://t.co/dAXtdg78zi
(https://twitter.com/KirstenAllen46/status/1644446795911634945?s=02)
Love this!
Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) tweeted at 9:22 AM on Fri, Apr 07, 2023:
NEWS: Appeals court panel has *reversed* the decision of Judge Nichols that would have tossed obstruction charges against hundreds Jan. 6 defendants.
Opinion shoudl be posted imminently. Seems complicated — decision was 2-1 with a concurrence and a dissent.
(https://twitter.com/kyledcheney/status/1644344873103896580?s=02)
The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) tweeted at 3:55 PM on Fri, Apr 07, 2023:
SEN. @CharlaneOliver: āThis supermajority has gone unchecked. Iām calling on the media to help us hold them accountable. Tell the real story.ā #TennesseeThree https://t.co/JXhKVGTCdK
(https://twitter.com/TheTNHoller/status/1644443735780884481?s=02)
CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) tweeted at 8:57 PM on Thu, Apr 06, 2023:
Thereās something people are missing about what happened in Tennessee.
This was personal.
Rep. Justin Jones didnāt only protest for stronger gun safety. He was the activist who played a role in the bust of Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest being taken down from
theā¦ https://t.co/RTQm9rNx0B https://t.co/uwhvHYuMWt
(https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1644157522784276482?s=02)
Good Morning, Everyoneššš