TENNESSEE THREE
"We will not stop. We will not give up! We will continue working to build a nation that includes, not excludes, or unjustly expels. People power will always prevail!" - Justin J. Pearson
TENNESSEE THREE NAV:
The 2/3 Expulsions Vote | 04.06
WHAT HAPPENED: Timeline
2023
MARCH 30TH
Protests swelled as a result of the TN GOP's refusal to support gun reform legislation and were specifically related to the Covenant school shooting which occurred on March 28th in Nashville. "There comes a time when you have to do something out of the ordinary. We occupied the House floor today after repeatedly being silenced from talking about the crisis of mass shootings. We could not go about business as usual as thousands were protesting outside demanding action." - Justin Jones, 03-30-31 (Twitter).
APRIL 6TH
Tennessee House votes to expel 2 of 3 Democratic members over gun protest (NPR). Of the Tennessee Three, only the 2 Black state lawmakers are expelled. In all likelihood, Representatives Jones and Pearson will be reinstated. That said, the anti-democracy TN GOP has a supermajority - which enabled them to expel Representatives Jones and Pearson in the first place. We stand with the Tennessee Three now and going forward. This is real-time Civil Rights history - don't stand idle: this defense of democracy requires EVERYONE.
APRIL 7TH
Vice President Kamala Harris arrives in Tennessee and meets with the TN3, among many others. She gives a historic speech at Fisk University's Memorial Chapel in Nashville. "Don't silence the people." See the links section nearby to watch the full speech.
APRIL 10TH
Justin Jones is unanimously reinstated to his seat by the Nashville Metropolitan Council.
APRIL 12TH
Justin J. Pearson is unanimously reinstated by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners.
APRIL 15TH
The Tennessee GOP continues to stumble forward with completely false claims that liken the events around the Tennessee Three to an insurrection. This is from The Tennessean on 03.31.23: "Tennessee protest: Authorities confirm no arrests, damage as Dems blast 'insurrection' claims". See the links section nearby for the article.
APRIL 21ST
The Tennessee Holler reports on Twitter that: "Republicans have now put a rule in place to able to object to anything [Rep. Justin Jones] and [Rep. Justin J. Pearson] say they don't like. Then they can all vote to cut them off.
Don't turn away. Democracy is being strangled to death here in Tennessee. Fascism reigns."
APRIL 24TH
Tennessee State Rep's Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, and Justin J. Pearson arrive in Washington D.C. to meet with President Biden and VP Harris, among MANY others. Keep scrolling for a heap of media related to their White House visit.
"This is our Selma moment." - Rep. Justin Jones
AUG 2ND
State Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson are reelected to their respective seats following summertime special elections. See April in this timeline for why the elections had to occur.
For more details (The Tennessean).
SEPT 5TH
State Rep. Gloria Johnson announces bid for TN US Senate seat (2024 election) in an effort to oust incumbent Senator Marsha Blackburn (R).
Senate 2024 Dem Challengers helpful links.
State Rep. Johnson's announcement details (Tennessee Lookout).
WHAT HAPPENED: Social / Media
2023
The Reinstatements | 04.10 + 04.12
These Shelby County Comissioners are a group of leaders who won’t bend, won’t bow, and won’t break under the pressure of unjust oppression! We’re back, and we’re gonna keep fighting! pic.twitter.com/0XNdD1mugD
— Justin J. Pearson (@Justinjpearson) April 12, 2023
It was so great to be in Memphis and feel the love and energy for @Justinjpearson! https://t.co/KEQ5PSefVP
— Rep. Gloria Johnson (@VoteGloriaJ) April 13, 2023
An image of Martin Luther King, Jr., is reflected in Justin Pearson's glasses before he and his supporters march to the Shelby County Board of Commissioners meeting, where a vote to reinstate him to the House of Representatives will take place. Updates: https://t.co/JgqVYYg98h pic.twitter.com/Ur3KjV2UXB
— Commercial Appeal (@memphisnews) April 12, 2023
Justice. pic.twitter.com/WXHz5Drcu3
— Rep. Gloria Johnson (@VoteGloriaJ) April 10, 2023
LIVE: @brotherjones_ is being sworn in on the Capitol steps pic.twitter.com/FMA5j7PdhB
— Justin J. Pearson (@Justinjpearson) April 10, 2023
The voice of the people are back in the Peoples’s House! @brotherjones_ pic.twitter.com/xZvFo9kiuy
— Justin J. Pearson (@Justinjpearson) April 10, 2023
Visiting the White House | 04.24
🔥 WATCH: “They tried to kick us out the statehouse, and it’s brought us to the White House.”
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 24, 2023
We talked to @brotherjones_ & @Justinjpearson outside the West Wing after the #TennesseeThree met with President Biden in D.C. today. pic.twitter.com/SrPH5TwepY
When the Tennessee 3 were told to sit down and be quiet, they chose courage. They stood up and fought for our democracy and commonsense gun safety laws.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 25, 2023
Our nation is fortunate to have leaders like them. pic.twitter.com/gstvXJjp4r
Here at the White House getting ready to meet with @POTUS about the continued call for an assault weapons ban and challenging the assault on our democracy.
— Rep. Justin Jones (@brotherjones_) April 24, 2023
From the People’s House to the White House, Tennessee can set the model for the nation. #ProtectKidsNotGuns pic.twitter.com/sGRCT7ofuj
"This is our Selma moment."
— ABC News (@ABC) April 24, 2023
Rep. Justin Jones calls for action on gun violence following his meeting with Pres. Biden at the Oval Office. https://t.co/xDj0go9CZa pic.twitter.com/G3xIC1cYry
LOCAL / RELEVANT LINKS
"[TN] protest...no arrests, damage"
This is from The Tennessean on 03.31.23: "Tennessee protest: Authorities confirm no arrests, damage as Dems blast 'insurrection' claims".
The Tennessee Holler
They're local and doing the work. A primary TN-focused resource for us specializing in political coverage. "Always yell the truth."
CSPAN: Madam VP's 04.07 Nashville Visit, Speech
From CSPAN, if you have not listened to the full speech from VP Harris, we recommend it for anyone interested in this moment.
WH: Transcript of Madam VP's 04.07 Speech
From the White House, "Remarks by Vice President Harris at Fisk University" at Fisk Memorial Chapel on April 7th, 2023.
TN House Dems
The Tennessee House Democratic Caucus link to keep up and find their social media.
TN Senate Dems
The Tennessee Senate Democratic Caucus link to keep up and find their social media.
TN Democratic Party
The direct site for the Tennessee Democratic Party or TNDP - if you'd like to support, amplify, or get involved. We saw that at minimum Wisconsin Dems are collaborating with them.
Facebook for Moms Demand Action TN
Amplify, support, and join their work. The account is active and providing local updates on local gun reform legislation / activism.
NAACP Legal Defense Fund Statement
"LDF Issues Statement on Reinstatement of Reps. Justin Jones and Pearson to Tennessee State House".
Planned Parenthood Nashville
The Nashville chapter for Planned Parenthood, who has been active and involved as you'll see in the organizing art section below.
A TN GOP Resignation
From NBC News: "Tennessee Republican who voted to expel Democrats resigns after ethics violation" [State Rep. Scotty Campbell].
Register to Vote
Register to Vote and get in the game or verify your voter info. 7 of the most well-known voter registration sites for you to choose from.
TN Speaker equates peaceful student rally w/Jan 6 insurrection but (1) no officers injured in TN, 150 wounded in DC; (2) no effort in TN to coerce Speaker to abdicate power and turn state over to usurper; (3) no 5-hour disruption of business to block transfer of power. Nice try!
— Jamie Raskin (@jamie_raskin) April 2, 2023
💔 @JustinJPearson comforts a woman holding a sign that reads: “Covenant Mom.”
— Tennessee Senate Democrats (@TNSenateDems) April 7, 2023
Reminder for the people in power: The families, who are burying children and loved ones murdered in last week’s #CovenantSchool shooting, deserve real action to stop gun violence.
🎥 via @Dulcet24 pic.twitter.com/A2lKe25eiq
Today, I stood with parents, students, and the Tennessee Three.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 8, 2023
They won't be silenced and their demands for gun reform must be heard.
In Congress and in state legislatures around our nation, leaders must have the courage to act. pic.twitter.com/j39Z0tyjLs
Glad y'all got to see how we are treated on live TV.
— Representative Torrey Harris (@TorreyHarris901) April 8, 2023
Now, I wish you all can see how we are treated in private.
They are a crime syndicate. https://t.co/HahQrccuTM
— Rep. Gloria Johnson (@VoteGloriaJ) April 8, 2023
Jones: The Tennessee Republicans’ attempt to crucify democracy and has instead resurrected a movement led by young people to restore a democracy, to build a multiracial coalition. We are in the midst of a third reconstruction beginning here in Nashville. pic.twitter.com/FSwixmfs6V
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 9, 2023
Over 100 state and federal Black lawmakers assembled in an emergency Zoom meeting Thursday evening to offer support to Democratic Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who were unseated from the Tennessee House https://t.co/m85UrG0fIt
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 7, 2023
Everything about this photo is what my colleagues across the aisle hate.
— Representative Torrey Harris (@TorreyHarris901) April 7, 2023
✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾@brotherjones_ @Justinjpearson pic.twitter.com/UzDOTl2I7y
Harris: “This is not what a Democracy does.” pic.twitter.com/qTTlR1jyoq
— Daja E. Henry 🌸 (@dajaehenry) April 7, 2023
.@VP Harris meets with the #TennesseeThree at Fisk University. pic.twitter.com/TX88pqZajC
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 7, 2023
photos on this page provided by Justin Jones @brotherjones_ and Justin J. Pearson @Justinjpearson
on Twitter, unless stated otherwise.
TENNESSEE THREE NAV:
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