Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, expelled by Republicans for joining a protest against gun violence, said they have always felt unwelcome at the state Capitol.
and a member gets up and they talk about your dashiki, saying it’s unprofessional,
“And that is what the underlying and undergirding comments and responses that we heard on the House floor, and the comments to myself and my brother, Representative Jones, was really about,” he added. , the only Democrat of the three to not get expelled, said earlier in the week that the state House changed many of its rules on expressing dissent after Jones and Pearson were elected.The Tennessee House has limited debate to what is technically five minutes, but according to Jones, Republicans have weaponized the rule to block out debate altogether.
“He runs the Capitol like it’s his private palace, so there is no democracy in Tennessee. Tennessee is the most undemocratic state in the nation. Even in committees, you’re silenced from talking about the issues,”“When we tried to talk about the issue of mass shootings that plagued our community, we were silenced. And all they offered our community were moments of silence, in fact, and empty thoughts and prayers. And our community deserves more than that,” he continued.
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