Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson Reinstated After Expulsion

A second Tennessee House Democrat has been reinstated after Republicans expelled him for protesting with gun control advocates.

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 Wednesday to reinstate state Rep. Justin Pearson, who days before was expelled by the GOP supermajority for joining protesters many of them children who chanted in the House chamber in support of gun control following a school shooting that left three kids and three adults dead last month.

Following his reinstatement, a packed crowd inside the County Administration Building erupted in cheers and applause. In a speech following his reinstatement, Pearson said it was time to get back to work.

You cant expel our voice, and you sure cant expel our fight, he told the crowd.

Lets get back to work! he shouted, to loud cheers.

We are marching to the Shelby County Comission with the people. People Power is greater than any power that attempts to suppress it! pic.twitter.com/YxLAo6a0y0

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We are marching to the Shelby County Comission with the people. People Power is greater than any power that attempts to suppress it! pic.twitter.com/YxLAo6a0y0
Justin J. Pearson (@Justinjpearson) April 12, 2023

Pearson and fellow Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones were expelled for protesting on March 30 in the House chamber, which Republican lawmakers called disorderly behavior that brought dishonor to the House of Representatives. A third lawmaker who joined in protesting for gun control, Democratic Rep. Gloria Johnson, was spared expulsion by a single vote.

Pearson and Jones are Black; Johnson is white. Both Jones and Johnson joined Pearson in his march Wednesday to the County Administration Building.

Im so glad Memphis did what was right, Johnson told local station WREG after the vote. Im just absolutely thrilled.

Justice was done today, she added.