During a special meeting called on Monday, the Nashville Metro City Council unanimously voted to reinstate State Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) to the Tennessee House of Representatives. He and another Democrat representative were expelled last week after they, along with State Rep. Gloria Johnson, commandeered the House Floor to demand gun control in the wake of the Covenant Presbyterian School shooting three days before on Monday.
Audrey Elizabeth Hale, who identified as transgender and was a former student, targeted the Christians there, killing three nine-year old students and three adults.
Monday afternoon, Jones and a large group of protesters organized by far-left non-profits including Gen Z for Change and March for Our Lives marched several blocks to the Capitol following the metro council’s vote. On the steps of the building, supporters cheered as he took the oath of office.
“Today we’re sending a resounding message that democracy will not be killed in the comfort of silence," Justin Jones said at the state Capitol.
The Nashville Metropolitan Council voted to reappoint him to the Tennessee House as an interim representative. https://t.co/scoStoiqCk pic.twitter.com/mPDyTl8wcn
— CNN (@CNN) April 10, 2023
While on the steps of the state Capitol, Jones stated, “Today we’re sending a resounding message that democracy will not be killed in the comfort of silence.”
Jones also called on House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) to resign, calling him an “enemy of democracy.”
“Today we send a clear message to Speaker Cameron Sexton that the people will not allow his crimes against democracy to happen without challenge,” Jones said.
Jones then walked into the chamber with Democratic Representative Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville), who had also been the subject of expulsion proceedings, but was spared.
Justin Jones leading a march of about 1,000 people through downtown Nashville as he returns to the state legislature #TennesseeThree pic.twitter.com/6a041dBjob
— Liz Crampton (@liz_crampton) April 10, 2023
Prior to the metro council’s Monday vote, the majority leader of the House William Lamberth (R-Portland) and the chairman of the Republican Caucus Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) released a joint statement, saying they would welcome “any” reinstated lawmakers back to the House.
“Tennessee’s constitution provides a pathway back for expulsion,” the statement read. “Should any expelled member be reappointed, we will welcome them. Like everyone else, they are expected to follow the rules of the House as well as state law.”
The following is a joint statement by House Majority Leader William Lamberth and Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison. pic.twitter.com/DzObeB1twQ
— TN House Republicans (@tnhousegop) April 10, 2023
A Shelby County Commission meeting on Wednesday could re-appoint Democrat Representative Justin Pearson (D-Memphis), the other lawmaker who was expelled last week.
Since the pair’s expulsion, both Pearson and Jones have received nationwide support from many prominent Democrats, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Watch the Metro Council meeting:
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Metro Council Reinstates Justin Jones” by Metro Nashville City Council.
Their chant “No justice NO PEACE” is a violent threat
During the hearing, I heard one RINO claim they could only be “booted” ONCE. I predict more megaphones
The House is over then. If there are booted again won’t they just be voted back in…over and over and over again?
Despicable! There are no rules for the looney left. They have no interest in living in a civil society.
Although the democratic process is constrained within our Constitutional Republic, our founders rejected democracy as a form of government so that the rights of the minority and individuals are protected. Otherwise, it is useful as a tactic: “Democracy is indispensable to socialism. The goal of socialism is communism.” —Vladimir Lenin
The solution proposed by Rep Jones is gross injustice in which rights of the smallest minority are violated by the Tennessee Declaration of Rights, precisely Article I, Section 26, for what a deranged criminal perp did. Instead the Legislature should protect school children just like they protect themselves!