On Monday, a Nashville-area council reinstated Tennessee state Representative Justin Jones after his expulsion for a gun protest.
Last week, Republican members expelled Jones and another young Black representative for their gun control protest on the House floor, grabbing national attention as Democrats sought gun violence prevention and racial equality as Republicans used their supermajority authority.
County legislatures can cover local vacancies in the Tennessee statehouse until a special election can finish the two-year term.
Jones, 27, was appointed temporary representative by the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County 36-0 on Monday. He was elected to Tennessee’s House last year.
On Thursday, Republicans expelled Jones and fellow Democrat Justin Pearson but spared a white congressman who attended their March 30 rule-breaking rally in the House well.
Gloria Johnson, the only white representative, did not use a megaphone. Nevertheless, race was blamed after the expulsion vote fell short of the two-thirds majority.
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners may restore Pearson to his Memphis district on Wednesday.
After the March 27 Nashville school massacre that murdered three 9-year-old pupils and three staff, the three protested the legislature’s gun policy.
The Gun Violence Archive counts 146 mass shootings in the US this year, the most since 2016, including the Covenant School incident.
In another Monday shooting, a Louisville, Kentucky, bank employee murdered four coworkers.
After the Metro Council vote, the 600 protestors outside cheered “Welcome home” to Jones.
Jones carried his nameplate back to the statehouse with Johnson and was sworn in on the steps by supporters. He entered the House with a fist raised as supporters roared from the gallery.
“I want to welcome the people back to the people’s house,” Jones remarked after being seated.
Jones accused Republicans of “plantation politics” and power abuse in his pre-vote speech. “Thank you,” Jones said. “Tennessee is watched globally.”
Council Member Delishia Porterfield, who lost to Jones in the 2022 statehouse primary, sponsored him for reinstatement to “send a strong message to our state government and across the country.”
Reuters did not immediately hear back from House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s spokeswoman.
“As the constitution requires,” the spokeswoman remarked before the vote.
Jones and Pearson, 28, announced they would run again in special elections.
Memphis and Nashville are Democratic, while the state legislature is Republican. Joseph Biden won the 2020 presidential election in Davidson and Shelby counties.
Democrats have used the expulsions to protest gun violence and racial inequity and challenge Republican state power.
Democrats have won the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections, but Republicans dominate numerous state governments, where abortion and gun restrictions are determined.
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