Tennessee Republicans accused of racism after voting to expel two Black Democrats
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| ClocksetBD |
Republicans in Tennessee have been accused of 'overt racism' after expelling two Black Democrats from the state legislature.
In an act of unprecedented retaliation, Republicans removed the two lawmakers for joining a gun control protest following the Nashville shooting, while sparing a white Democrat who also participated.
Justin Jones, representative for Nashville, and Justin Pearson, who represented Memphis, gave rousing speeches in the chamber before the majority-white legislature voted to oust them, leaving tens of thousands of mostly Black and Brown Tennessee residents without representation.
Justin Jones, 27, said he had "no regrets, and would continue to speak up for Tennesseans who are demanding change".
"What happened yesterday was an attack on our democracy and overt racism," he said. "The nation got to see clearly what's going on in Tennessee, that we don't have democracy especially when it comes to Black and Brown communities. This is what we have been challenging all session, a very toxic, racist work environment."
Jones said Republican lawmakers were trying to take Tennessee backwards, and pointed to the state's history of white supremacy, the birthplace of the ultra-violent Ku Klux Klan.
Meanwhile Gloria Johnson, the white Democrat spared expulsion by a one-vote margin, was asked by reporters about the split vote as she left the chamber on Thursday.
"I'll answer your question; it might have to do with the color of our skin," said Johnson, a retired teacher.
Republican lawmakers denied allegations of racism, and said the expulsions were necessary to avoid setting a precedent that lawmakers' disruptions of proceedings through protest would be tolerated.
- The Guardian.
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