Racism allegation: Tennessee legislature expels MPs

Two black representatives were removed from office by the Republican majority for demonstrating in the Tennessee state house for stricter gun laws. The case sparked outrage across the country.

“Shame on you” – “Shame on you” shouted demonstrators in Nashville, Tennessee to the Republican majority in the House of Representatives. The parliament had previously voted on the expulsion of three MPs. Two of them were actually disfellowshipped, both young Democrats and both black. The third deputy narrowly escaped being expelled from parliament; she is also a democrat, but white.

All three had previously joined demonstrations in the parliament building for stricter gun laws and had arbitrarily gained access to the lectern. The process is causing a national stir in the United States because it hits several hot topics at once: gun ownership, the general political divide between Democrats and Republicans – and above all the accusation of racism.

Expelled Justin Jones shouted angrily into the parliamentary microphone: “We’re still here and we’ll never give up.” Justin Pearson, who was also expelled, told reporters from local media in Nashville: “You cannot ignore the racist dynamic of what happened today. Two young black MPs are expelled and one white woman is not? That speaks for itself.”

Gloria Johnson, who narrowly escaped being expelled from parliament, stressed that she did not protest quite as vehemently in plenary as her two colleagues. She also said the reason for their exclusion: “It could have to do with our skin color.”

House Speaker Republican Cameron Sexton defended the vote, saying race was irrelevant. He is concerned with complying with rules and orderly processes in Parliament, protest in the form that has taken place should not be. Sexton himself had voted to expel all three Democrats. US President Joe Biden also joined the debate. He called the events in Tennessee “shocking” and “undemocratic”.

Another killing spree triggers protests

The starting point for the new debate about gun ownership in Tennessee was a school shooting at the end of March. Three nine-year-old children and three adults, including the school principal, were shot dead. In many US states, there is a basic possibility of expelling members of parliament for gross misconduct. But even in Tennessee, this has only rarely been used.

Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, both in their late 20s and only recently elected to the House of Representatives, could soon return there after being expelled: if the responsible committees in their constituencies do not nominate substitute candidates, but send the two themselves again. Jones and Pearson build on the appropriate support, according to the motto: now more than ever.