RETALIATION: Why does the Tennessee GOP hate free speech?
The First and Second Amendments coexist on paper, but Tennessee Republicans seem to believe only one can stand in their legislature — and they’ve chosen the one with the deadly weapons.
In fact, a legislator who supported students holding a protest in favor of gun control just got booted off all her committees.
Just a week ago, a former student of a Nashville school entered the building with a semiautomatic firearm and took the lives of three 9-year-old students, as well as three adults.
Right-wing legislators responded by promising to do absolutely nothing to protect students’ lives, and students responded by holding a protest at the State Capitol.
A few Democratic legislators, Representatives Justin Johnson, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Jones, showed support for the students exercising their First Amendment right to protest and joined them in advocating for gun control measures.
Now, they’re being punished for it.
They’ve been kicked off their committees, and there is reportedly a plan in motion to expel them from the state legislature.
Johnson shared with local journalists the letter she was sent, which does not explain why she’s being booted.
It reads:
“You have been removed from all House standing committees and subcommitees and any committees on which you serve as designee. Please let me know if you have any questions.”
You can see a copy of the letter below.
The Tennessee Holler reports that a motion to expel all three will be held before the end of the day and that Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives Cameron Sexton believes he has enough votes to prevail and remove these Democratic legislators who were chosen by the voters, for choosing to protect children rather than guns.
Meanwhile, the protests continue. Students are still protesting at the legislative offices, and Republican legislators are still attacking the children who are daring to speak up and stand up for their own safety, instead of showing them support.
A video clip below shows Representative William Lamberth berating a student — “We’ve heard enough out of you, young man” — for daring to ask him to answer questions from his young constituents.
Happening Now: Students are filling the halls of the legislature. (and @WilliamLamberth is talking down to Rep. @brotherjones_) pic.twitter.com/7e1CIHIOuj
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 3, 2023
Rep. @VoteGloriaJ has been kicked off of all committees for speaking up in the well — as has @brotherjones_
They are currently sitting in Gov ops anyway pic.twitter.com/yfxIwe3bq1
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 3, 2023
Steph Bazzle covers politics and theocracy, always aiming for a world free from extremism and authoritarianism. Follow Steph on Twitter @imjustasteph.
