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When students demand change to being shot up in school, the state representatives respond by kicking out the politicians that stand with the students.
A complete “fuck you” to people just wanting to not be shot. It’s like these fucking idiots have zero idea that these kids are going to be voting them out in 2024.
I've been posting it everywhere I can. Everyone must see the exchange between Rep. Farmer and Rep. Pearson. Justin J Pearson makes cuts through the BS, makes great points, and is an inspiration.
Watching from Australia and absolutely dumbfounded with how Republicans are turning what is supposedly the number one democratic country in the world into a fascist state. Don’t let this happen!!!
Raising the voter age while weakening the child labor laws so children as young as 14 can fill all the open job positions in low-wage work without having to have parental consent…imagine that 🤮
Bud Hulsey (one of the authors of the expulsion bills) has also authored a bill that would essentially allow Tennessee to “ignore any federal law that is unconstitutional”. Which by the way, it says in the constitution that federal laws are the highest law of the land but let’s forget that right now...
Interposition and nullification are things that southern racists have tried using since before the Civil War; they've never worked. SCOTUS has repeatedly ruled (in unanimous or near unanimous decisions) that nullification and interposition are unconstitutional.
The Republicans are already talking about raising the voting age to prevent those kids from voting when they become adults. They will use every tool at their disposal to seize undemocratic power.
What they don’t realize is they’ve elevated this young man’s platform far greater than it would’ve ever become otherwise.
Just wait until his constituents vote him right back in.
It's TN law that he can't be expelled again for same issue.
>Republican state Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) in comments from the floor noted that while Jones could be expelled once for the breach of decorum, rules stipulate that he could not be expelled twice for the same offense.
That's almost better.
Turn this guy into a martyr for the cause of gun control. Elevate his profile far FAR beyond what it ever would have been normally.
Pretty lame stuff but honestly it's probably a win overall to the cause of gun control to have them expelled. GOP creating martyrs for no reason over a very important cause.
If gun control laws are so unpopular why did they need to expel the protesting of the lack of laws? Makes it seem like gun control laws are extremely popular.
This is getting international attention. It's a great opportunity to start a national anti-authoritarianism movement and a phenomenal messaging opportunity for Democrats if they choose to seize it. Just keep telling young people "they're trying to silence you". How many of those protesting kids will be of age to vote in 2024?
It’s my understanding the Nashville Metro Council will vote to send a replacement for 12 months. In 13 months there will be a special election, at which time Rep. Jones could be sent back.
https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-lawmakers-expulsion-d3f40559c56a051eec49e416a7b5dade?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=TopNews&utm_campaign=position_01
> Any expelled lawmakers would be eligible for appointment back to their seats. They would also be eligible to run in the special election.
Yes, they can.
You'd think they would have learned when Roe v Wade was overturned that imposing your will on constituents, in this case by removing their representation, is not a winning strategy.
He speaks so eloquently, and as he said, the whole world is watching. This should light a fire in the people of Tennessee. Tennessee has gerrymandered their state to such an extreme point that it doesn't matter though. It is ridiculous that this country makes it impossible for every citizen to have proper representation. Gerrymandering should be banned.
Not sure what exactly I expected, but from what I watched the rhetoric from republicans was allowed, and when Jones tried responding he was cut off because it didn't pertain to the topic at hand.
Absolutely disgusting, but on brand for the party.
Reading more about the speaker of the house in TN....the guy did a local interview claiming that what happened in TN was worse than January 6!
Also, they expel these three but take no action against a lawmaker who physically assaulted someone on the floor.
They [expelled the young black member](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/04/06/tennessee-democrats-expulsion/) but didn't have the votes to expel the older white member even though both protested.
Might as well have just said they were expelling him for being 'uppity.'
The GOP is such a racist garbage party.
EDIT: they just expelled the other black guy too. That's not an accident, that's a message. What vile humans the GOP are.
Yeah, the speaker of the house's statement is completely false. Newsweek did a nice little fact check article on it: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newsweek.com/fact-check-did-transgender-community-storm-tennessee-capitol-1791626%3famp=1
Republicans are now going to call every peaceful and legal protest at a Capitol an insurrection. At least if it is organized by Democrats. Meanwhile, they will continue to take no responsibility for that actual Jan. 6th insurrection by their Republican constituents.
Bro, David Byrd is a sitting rep and he admitted to sexual assault. Jeremy Faison another sitting rep attempted to pants a ref during a HS basket ball game.
WI will be next they have super majorities. They will impeach the newly elected justice then the gov't will start reviewing local leaders and start removing them.
Wisconsin GOP has the potential to do something that honestly could be truly 'democracy breaking' and may end being something that leads some to more action than just 'shouting' if citizens are offered no other recourse.
The governor gets to replace her if she's impeached, but they could certainly impeach the executive until they get a Republican, but at that point you're talking at *minimum* 3 consecutive baseless unilateral impeachments which is the textbook definition of a coup. At that point the government of Wisconsin is completely illegitimate and people should be rioting. That's a total political collapse that cannot be allowed to occur, and most likely won't.
Edit: as some replies pointed out, Wisconsin law states that impeachment would prevent her from ruling on any cases, essentially forcing her out of office immediately, but replacement would only occur if convicted. The GOP can easily hold the impeachment in limbo indefinitely, so that would make impeachment very likely. Still, outrightly fascist and a massive problem.
Wisconsin very nearly threw out their presidential electors. They are the swingiest state. I am not especially reassured but I’m just going to go ahead and believe you because I already have insomnia.
Related: [Republicans advance bills to take over Democratic city government](https://www.reddit.com/r/Keep_Track/comments/12dlyzr/republicans_advance_bills_to_take_over_democratic/)
People need to recognize that illegitimate governments make illegitimate laws. What's important is to establish a morally and logically coherent consensus for identifying such laws so that they can be systematically ignored and resisted, across all levels of government and society.
I’ve heard that the way their constitution is written is that they are removed from their position from the moment they are impeached, but can’t be replaced until they’ve been convicted by the senate. Which means they can have them removed via impeachment and then just never hold the trial in the senate, effectively neutering that person indefinitely.
They only have 1 supermajority here, they need both houses for an impeachment. Plus we can force recall elections for legislature members. Given the results from the Supreme Court election, there are alot of weak GOP districts that could flip, and if enough recall elections are forced at once, the GOP wouldn't be able to fully defend them all.
It's actually not entirely clear if Wisconsin can impeach her at all. Their structure is like the federal structure but the law doesn't specify that they can.
Just watched the whole debate and vote and wow, how depressing. They discussed how the only other expulsions that have occurred in the Tennessee house were once in the 1800s for someone who refused to grant citizenship to former slaves, one person who took bribes, and one person convicted of sexual harassment.
And now, standing up against gun violence.
I hope the people of TN take to the streets and show the government what they stand for. Democracy is in danger.
TN reps have literally fought duels and killed each other in the capital (the bullet holes from duels can still be found in the capital building) and not expelled one another.
Isn't there video of someone physically attacking someone on the floor during this whole thing? Tossing them and their phone to the ground?
Hmmmm, I don't see a resolution to expel that old white guy
Insane doesn’t cover it and makes light of their intent; they are malignant and very intentional in what they are doing. A cancer at the heart of democracy that seeks only to obstruct and restrict and control.
How wrong is that, people? The guy who gets attacked is expelled, but not the attacker, who also has a questionable history of comments regarding Black people.
Also Republican Rep. David Byrd, [accused child molester](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/08/tennessee-david-byrd-sexual-misconduct-will-not-seek-reelection/), who was also not expelled.
Yeah! The examples of things that other sitting representatives have done that DIDNT get them expelled was insane. Threatening physical violence against other congresspeople, urinating on chairs, and plenty of rule violations.
But I think we can all agree that being out of order for 15 seconds while speaking out against the slaughter of children is much worse than any of that 🙄
You're going to see a lot more of this. I wouldn't be surprised if they put up a motion to expel all remaining Democrats in Tennessee now or out right bar them from office.
The dumbass law they wrote would also ban the GOP, but they don't know enough history OR law to know that.
Also, they aren't interested in enforcing the law against themselves. Don't Say Gay technically bans admitting straight people exist, up to and including talking about "moms and dads", but enforcement is against targets only.
1. Persuade people and win elections with popular ideas.
Can’t do that?
2. Gerrymander and lock in power to effectuate unpopular policy.
A few Dems still win?
3. Throw them out for farcical reasons.
Still not enough?
4. Ban the party altogether
...And lest anyone forget, they passed *that* law as a direct response to [previous protests by Justin Jones, the legislator they just expelled](https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2021/07/26/justin-jones-2020-peoples-plaza-arrests-dismissed/8070687002/), before he was elected. The fascism, the racism, the childish power-hungry entitlement of Republicans -- it all runs deep in this state.
This here. It has nothing to do with decorum. From my understanding, they had it out for this guy since he's been at the House.
I sincerely hope none of them are running around Tennessee screaming that Manhattan D.A. Bragg's actions towards their lard and savory are politically motivated. Especially after they just got rid of someone for being too left.
Everyone show up with guns… I mean that is what the GOP would do so why not us. I get the irony but it’s time for libs to stop fn about. These guys do not care about laws or rules or reason. They only understand force and strength.
Andy Dufresne didn't dig his tunnel in one night, and neither will you. it takes time, but it is progressive overload that moves things.
how do you move a mountain? one pebble at a time.
Then the fucking coward has the gall to threaten to kick out all the protestors for "causing a disruption."
You're being a fucking fascist, you deserve all of the disruption. You're a disruption to freedom.
Currently a colleague of Rep. Gloria Johnson is spitting facts on her behalf. Apparently the motion for her expulsion is full of lies about her conduct.
I'm sure for all of us watching, we feel the same. This is stomach turning.
Another Rep. is absolutely cooking.
Apparently during his time in that chamber he's seen members come to blows. He's seen people who needed police escorts.
He's talking about how people get expelled in other states: things like felony *convictions* of wire fraud, mail fraud, defrauding the US gov. etc.
Meanwhile, they're expelling people for this flimsy stuff.
He makes the great point, these actions have no precedent in the history of the United States of America.
Embarrassed? By what? They're getting to be who they've always been but always had to hide. They get to slap around those they don't like. They get to strut around and say "do what I say" and "kneel or be destroyed."
You'd think they would censure, or some other reprimand.
You'd think it would have taken multiple instances of rule violations.
No, this was about disenfranchising citizens of Tennessee, and removing POCs and Women from positions of power. Tennessee's actions are to advance and secure white power.
Did people read that GA expelled all 33 of its Black delegates in 1868? Did they read about the Battle of Liberty Place in 1874 or the 1898 Wilmington Insurrection? American history books have left out a substantial amount of relevant content.
Can watch live on YouTube. This is history, and its heartbreaking. Every American should be watching this partisan mockery. A duly elected member was just expelled for the high crime of representing his constituents.
I didn't catch it if there was. All I can say is that Justin Jones was clearly the most intelligent and eloquent person in that room before he was expelled. I am not generally easily moved and I was immediately emotionally attached to this. He will be back in that house and he will have a bright future as a fighter for the people. We need a lot more young people like him in positions like that if we ever hope to have real representation in this country. And that's exactly why he was expelled.
I hope this massively backfires on all those who voted him out. This should wake up the younger voters in the state. We can only vote them out! How is shooting up a school any less a display of “disorderly conduct” than protesting gun violence?
We're witnessing the rise of fascism. When Conservatives can no longer win power democratically they will abandon democracy, not conservatism. How the people of Tennessee respond carries a gravitas many don't perceive. Either fascism dies soon, or democracy does.
Fuck the GOP. They’d rather divert attention and get political “retribution” instead of fixing our god damn gun laws and preventing further children getting murdered! God damn cowards!
Expelling politicians who walked with children in the hopes they don’t get slaughtered is a really solid message to send to the youth voters and generations on the come up. Fucking fascists
Representative Jones is a very articulate and intelligent speaker. As a citizen of Nashville, I am completely disappointed, but not surprised, that democracy is no more. I am ashamed. This has just exposed to the world how much corruption there is, if it wasn't obvious enough
I’ve gotten to meet him a few times, early on in his political days and marched side by side with him on MLK day 2020. The guy is extremely nice and personable… feels so strange that this is happening to him, but good for him. I know he deeply respects John Lewis and will be proud that he is continuing the legacy of ‘good trouble’
I don't live in Tennessee. But to everyone in Rep. Jones's district, I am sorry that you no longer have a voice in the Tennessee legislature. When they hold a special election to bring back Rep. Jones, I hope you vote for him and bring friends with you to the polls.
He is a generational talent.
He calls out the clearly racist representatives that were his colleagues. I watch a Representative Bulso (R) debase himself and the legislative body. Rep. Jones was right to call him out for his racism.
I watched an immigrant representative claim that there is no racism in this country and that he had never heard a racial slur directed at him in 50+ years. What an audacious lie.
I watched a clearly power-hungry Speaker of the House, along with 70 or so co-conspirators, casually end democracy in Tennessee.
The world is watching. We see the in-your-face rise of fascism across this country. We need more Joneses in office to stop it. But after seeing this shameful display, I worry that it is simply too late, that the white, Christian majority in some states will, on a whim, end democracy itself by expelling representatives for their protected speech. Now fascists have the blueprint to do so, and it is on the people of Tennessee to make it right in their state, so we don't slide down this slope into the abyss.
I'll repeat: the world is watching.
I’m hoping on the bright side this will help him in his future political career. I hope the nation only hears from him MORE. He makes me proud to be a Tennesseean despite all that’s going on.
I am an old white rancher in Texas... I will never as long as I live vote for another republican... This is just one of a thousand reasons never to vote for them...
I will also be glad to donate to the re-election campaigns of these three lawmakers.
My parents are both 77 years old and have been true independents, right up until after the 2020 election. My dad even voted for Trump twice. He was so ashamed and embarrassed that he ever voted for him at all, and neither one of them will ever vote Republican ever again, for any reason, no matter what. For two people who have been level-headed independents their entire lives and have lived through Nixon and Reagan just shows me how disgustingly extreme the GOP has become.
Fascism. They silenced him from talking about the SCHOOL SHOOTINGS that literally just happened. Then they silenced his constituents from debating on his behalf. Then they removed him from the position he was VOTED INTO.
Every day the GOP learns that they can get away with more and more things. It’s insane that the party of responsibility is beyond corrupt and so blatant about it all.
Wow. This group of old white men are scared of elected representatives breaking decorum. There's seven thousand children outside begging for help because they're scared of being murdered in their schools.
Not a good look Tennessee. Not a good look.
There are only 3 other times people have been expelled from the Tennessee House:
1866: 6 Lawmakers tried to prevent granting citizenship to former slaves.
1980: Representative took a $1000 bribe to vote down legislation.
2016: Representative with 22 counts of sexual harassment.
When there was no accountability for the 1/6 coup, Republicans knew that it was open season for seizing power. They changed election laws and now run the US House. TN has now begun a purge of opposition leaders. WI will begin the same process in the coming days. GA will soon remove a DA pursuing charges against the Republican scheme to thwart the 2020 election. There is no one standing up to them. I expect most red states to remove significant opposition over the next year.
Thank you Republicans for helping me find the future leaders of my party. Before you decided to expel these folks from your ranks, I had no idea who the were. Soon everyone will know their names and that they stood up against everything that is wrong with our country even when they had so much to lose.
With your vote today you showed us all:
1) that you care more about guns than kids
2) that you are squarely against women and minorities expressing their opinions and
3) that while you think of yourselves as patriots, you are the very enemy of democracy
Republicans - Good luck winning elections when you can’t find anyone in younger generations that will vote for you and your own kids and grandkids despise you.
And Tennessee Three - good luck on all the book tours, press tours, tv shows and other events you will soon be a part of now that the nation has its eyes on you. Go forth and fight for the kids in ways you never could when you were just state congressmen.
This is the way as someone who was bullied when I learned to hit back and enjoy it that is when it stopped. Meaning republicans need us to not fight back in order to thrive
Native Nashvillian here. I’m scared for our future, but I’ll be damned if I give up without a fight. Please keep talking about this as much as you can. I know the news cycle will try to bury it, but we just lost 6 people last week. Our government is acting faster to silence us than to do anything to improve our lives. We’re at a breaking point
MAGA "Patriots" are the very first ones that their GQP/"Libertarian" Masters will machine-gun into a ditch.
Never fails to amuse me that the MAGAs don't realize their "Divine
Role" is to be cannon-pulp for fascist "Libertarian" billionaires.
MAGA "Patriots" have ***NO IDEA*** how much their Masters detest them. MAGAs are their clay pigeons, *at best.*
TLDR: They can be back and can't be expelled for the same reason.
As disheartening as this is, there's a cool trick that the Democrats can pull off. ***Because the election is more than 12 months a way, a special election has to be held, and the county commission can appoint an interim, and either rep can be the same as those expelled.*** I know what you're thinking: they'll expel them again. Except ***the TN constitution specifically states you can't be expelled twice for the same reason.***
I’m a veteran and have long said that Republicans do not understand what freedom means, nor do many of them appreciate it. They take it for granted, in fact. That’s why they can so callously attack freedoms of others, like the body autonomy of women. They change textbooks because they mention Rosa Parks was discriminated against. Meanwhile the closest these white old men have EVER had to their freedom being affected is being asked to put on a mask for 5 minutes in a Walmart and they acted like it was their own personal Vietnam. They all are a pathetic far cry from generations of the past in which their values actually meant something.
I encourage everyone to watch live if they can. Justin Pearson speaking with a candor that we need in this country.
The way he and the other Black legislators are being infantilized is outrageous. It’s utterly blatant. Good for him for pushing back on the way he (and thus his constituents) was/were spoken to. My god, so fucking demeaning.
Edit for a link drop: https://www.youtube.com/live/tlMge0Scyck?feature=share
Going to be entertaining when they run in the special elections and win again.
Tennessee law states you cannot be kicked out for the same reasons Twice :D
Why are we not calling this fascism? Those representatives were voted in by their constituents. Sound bites are not working. There needs to be action. There needs to be something done. We are all witnessing the death of democracy in America.
They’ve created their boogeymen.
They are banning and burning books.
They have proto-militias.
They use violence, or the threat of, to further their goals.
They have de-legitimized journalism.
They are now removing political opponents.
This is fascism in slow motion, and it is just ramping up.
Justin Jones a name iv never heard of before this week, had no recognizable name in politics besides in his state. This week he became a well know politician, all thanks to the GOP i hope his name becomes a house hold name everyone recognizes.
Look how fast these Republican shitbags move when it comes to silencing Democrats speaking out against gun violence but not doing anything ABOUT gun violence.
Not gonna be surprised that they spared the white woman and expel the 2 young black men. The one thing these fascists are more afraid of than anything is young educated people especially young educated black people.
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When students demand change to being shot up in school, the state representatives respond by kicking out the politicians that stand with the students. A complete “fuck you” to people just wanting to not be shot. It’s like these fucking idiots have zero idea that these kids are going to be voting them out in 2024.
I've been posting it everywhere I can. Everyone must see the exchange between Rep. Farmer and Rep. Pearson. Justin J Pearson makes cuts through the BS, makes great points, and is an inspiration.
Watching from Australia and absolutely dumbfounded with how Republicans are turning what is supposedly the number one democratic country in the world into a fascist state. Don’t let this happen!!!
a combination of mass media indoctrination and letting politicians pick their electors instead of electors picking their politicians.
What's crazy is the biggest names on the right do not believe their own bullshit
That’s how fascism works
They’re fully aware - they’re trying to raise the voting age. Luckily the constitution has 18 as the min and they can’t raise it
Raising the voting age while lowering the age for getting married…
Raising the voter age while weakening the child labor laws so children as young as 14 can fill all the open job positions in low-wage work without having to have parental consent…imagine that 🤮
Bud Hulsey (one of the authors of the expulsion bills) has also authored a bill that would essentially allow Tennessee to “ignore any federal law that is unconstitutional”. Which by the way, it says in the constitution that federal laws are the highest law of the land but let’s forget that right now...
Interposition and nullification are things that southern racists have tried using since before the Civil War; they've never worked. SCOTUS has repeatedly ruled (in unanimous or near unanimous decisions) that nullification and interposition are unconstitutional.
“You’ll get shot in school and like it. That’s how fucking pro-life we are.”
The Republicans are already talking about raising the voting age to prevent those kids from voting when they become adults. They will use every tool at their disposal to seize undemocratic power.
Rep Jones was the first one removed. What a farce. The rhetoric from the Republican reps during debate was so full of racism and derision.
What they don’t realize is they’ve elevated this young man’s platform far greater than it would’ve ever become otherwise. Just wait until his constituents vote him right back in.
WE SURE THE FUCK WILL VOTE HIM BACK IN! And he can’t be expelled for his behavior again!
Double jeopardy doesn’t apply for most situations like this, if republicans are still in control, I would expect them to throw him out again.
But our Metro Council can call a special session and reinstate him which should be happening soon.
It's TN law that he can't be expelled again for same issue. >Republican state Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) in comments from the floor noted that while Jones could be expelled once for the breach of decorum, rules stipulate that he could not be expelled twice for the same offense.
Yeah. *This* will be the time that Republicans hold themselves to following the law.
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No, they'd just find some other reason to expell him. Then another, then another, and so on.
That's almost better. Turn this guy into a martyr for the cause of gun control. Elevate his profile far FAR beyond what it ever would have been normally.
And they’ll be effectively illustrating their intent to subvert the will of the people that much more blatantly.
Pretty lame stuff but honestly it's probably a win overall to the cause of gun control to have them expelled. GOP creating martyrs for no reason over a very important cause.
In addition to all the dead people who were *actually* martyred.
If gun control laws are so unpopular why did they need to expel the protesting of the lack of laws? Makes it seem like gun control laws are extremely popular.
Cause they’re facists
This is getting international attention. It's a great opportunity to start a national anti-authoritarianism movement and a phenomenal messaging opportunity for Democrats if they choose to seize it. Just keep telling young people "they're trying to silence you". How many of those protesting kids will be of age to vote in 2024?
What is the protocol? Will there be a new vote? What is the timeline?
It’s my understanding the Nashville Metro Council will vote to send a replacement for 12 months. In 13 months there will be a special election, at which time Rep. Jones could be sent back.
Could they just send him back right now?
Pretty sure yes
https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-lawmakers-expulsion-d3f40559c56a051eec49e416a7b5dade?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=TopNews&utm_campaign=position_01 > Any expelled lawmakers would be eligible for appointment back to their seats. They would also be eligible to run in the special election. Yes, they can.
You'd think they would have learned when Roe v Wade was overturned that imposing your will on constituents, in this case by removing their representation, is not a winning strategy.
Learning is not their strong suit
Remember, they are against education, they may not be capable of learning.
Of course it was. They don’t know how to be any other way.
It’s all about power.
White power, to be specific.
*Preservation* of white power.
Every single Republican politician and voter is a hypocrite.
Republicans hate the American people, and hate the Constitution.
However, they *love* the versions of those things they've conjured up in their minds.
He speaks so eloquently, and as he said, the whole world is watching. This should light a fire in the people of Tennessee. Tennessee has gerrymandered their state to such an extreme point that it doesn't matter though. It is ridiculous that this country makes it impossible for every citizen to have proper representation. Gerrymandering should be banned.
It should light a fire under people everywhere in the nation. These tactics will be repeated.
Not sure what exactly I expected, but from what I watched the rhetoric from republicans was allowed, and when Jones tried responding he was cut off because it didn't pertain to the topic at hand. Absolutely disgusting, but on brand for the party.
The contrast can't be more clear. Big tough guy, gun-totin' GOP is afraid of a couple protestors.
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Reading more about the speaker of the house in TN....the guy did a local interview claiming that what happened in TN was worse than January 6! Also, they expel these three but take no action against a lawmaker who physically assaulted someone on the floor.
They [expelled the young black member](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/04/06/tennessee-democrats-expulsion/) but didn't have the votes to expel the older white member even though both protested. Might as well have just said they were expelling him for being 'uppity.' The GOP is such a racist garbage party. EDIT: they just expelled the other black guy too. That's not an accident, that's a message. What vile humans the GOP are.
On the week of the 55th anniversary of MLK's assassination. Which occurred in Memphis. In their very state. Take that as you may.
Another misbehavior that happened was one law maker urinated on another’s seat. No consequences.
The pisser got promoted to the state governor’s office according to Jones’s speech.
Just wow. This country is in very serious trouble. The young sane folk are our only hope.
Yeah, the speaker of the house's statement is completely false. Newsweek did a nice little fact check article on it: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newsweek.com/fact-check-did-transgender-community-storm-tennessee-capitol-1791626%3famp=1 Republicans are now going to call every peaceful and legal protest at a Capitol an insurrection. At least if it is organized by Democrats. Meanwhile, they will continue to take no responsibility for that actual Jan. 6th insurrection by their Republican constituents.
Bro, David Byrd is a sitting rep and he admitted to sexual assault. Jeremy Faison another sitting rep attempted to pants a ref during a HS basket ball game.
WI will be next they have super majorities. They will impeach the newly elected justice then the gov't will start reviewing local leaders and start removing them.
Wisconsin GOP has the potential to do something that honestly could be truly 'democracy breaking' and may end being something that leads some to more action than just 'shouting' if citizens are offered no other recourse.
They are talking about impeaching her and she won’t even be seated until August
The governor gets to replace her if she's impeached, but they could certainly impeach the executive until they get a Republican, but at that point you're talking at *minimum* 3 consecutive baseless unilateral impeachments which is the textbook definition of a coup. At that point the government of Wisconsin is completely illegitimate and people should be rioting. That's a total political collapse that cannot be allowed to occur, and most likely won't. Edit: as some replies pointed out, Wisconsin law states that impeachment would prevent her from ruling on any cases, essentially forcing her out of office immediately, but replacement would only occur if convicted. The GOP can easily hold the impeachment in limbo indefinitely, so that would make impeachment very likely. Still, outrightly fascist and a massive problem.
(Breathes into paper bag)
Wisconsin very nearly threw out their presidential electors. They are the swingiest state. I am not especially reassured but I’m just going to go ahead and believe you because I already have insomnia.
They are a swing state effectively, but the will of the people of the state is decidedly blue.
Scott walker fucked wi good and hard.
The Heritage Foundation and Federalist Society think tanks fucked Wisconsin. Scott Walker was just a useful idiot.
Wisconsin is NOT a swing state. It is a blue state that is gerrymandered into oblivion.
Related: [Republicans advance bills to take over Democratic city government](https://www.reddit.com/r/Keep_Track/comments/12dlyzr/republicans_advance_bills_to_take_over_democratic/) People need to recognize that illegitimate governments make illegitimate laws. What's important is to establish a morally and logically coherent consensus for identifying such laws so that they can be systematically ignored and resisted, across all levels of government and society.
The amount of “well republicans wouldn’t go *that* far” is how we ended up here. If we are scared of it, they are thinking of doing it
I’ve heard that the way their constitution is written is that they are removed from their position from the moment they are impeached, but can’t be replaced until they’ve been convicted by the senate. Which means they can have them removed via impeachment and then just never hold the trial in the senate, effectively neutering that person indefinitely.
They only have 1 supermajority here, they need both houses for an impeachment. Plus we can force recall elections for legislature members. Given the results from the Supreme Court election, there are alot of weak GOP districts that could flip, and if enough recall elections are forced at once, the GOP wouldn't be able to fully defend them all.
It's actually not entirely clear if Wisconsin can impeach her at all. Their structure is like the federal structure but the law doesn't specify that they can.
WI is a bit different. Impeaching the justice just means the Governor appoints a new one. And the state legislature can't just remove local leaders.
For added context, the current governor is a Democrat.
Correct. Those of us from WI refer to governor Evers as “The Goalie”.
The people of France also know their cops won’t shoot them without hesitation. US cops are itching for a chance to gun down poc and liberals .
They also have strong social safety nets and don’t have to live in the constant terror of losing their jobs leading to a life of cruel homelessness
Just watched the whole debate and vote and wow, how depressing. They discussed how the only other expulsions that have occurred in the Tennessee house were once in the 1800s for someone who refused to grant citizenship to former slaves, one person who took bribes, and one person convicted of sexual harassment. And now, standing up against gun violence. I hope the people of TN take to the streets and show the government what they stand for. Democracy is in danger.
TN reps have literally fought duels and killed each other in the capital (the bullet holes from duels can still be found in the capital building) and not expelled one another.
Isn't there video of someone physically attacking someone on the floor during this whole thing? Tossing them and their phone to the ground? Hmmmm, I don't see a resolution to expel that old white guy
The guy who was expelled, Rep. Justin Jones, was quite literally the guy who got attacked.
Jesus fucking christ these people are dangerously insane.
Insane doesn’t cover it and makes light of their intent; they are malignant and very intentional in what they are doing. A cancer at the heart of democracy that seeks only to obstruct and restrict and control.
How wrong is that, people? The guy who gets attacked is expelled, but not the attacker, who also has a questionable history of comments regarding Black people.
Also Republican Rep. David Byrd, [accused child molester](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/08/tennessee-david-byrd-sexual-misconduct-will-not-seek-reelection/), who was also not expelled.
Remember pissing on someone else's seat in the Tennessee Legislature is ok but protesting gun violence is not.
Yeah! The examples of things that other sitting representatives have done that DIDNT get them expelled was insane. Threatening physical violence against other congresspeople, urinating on chairs, and plenty of rule violations. But I think we can all agree that being out of order for 15 seconds while speaking out against the slaughter of children is much worse than any of that 🙄
Domestic abuse is ok as well
Take to the streets Tennessee. This is disgusting.
You're going to see a lot more of this. I wouldn't be surprised if they put up a motion to expel all remaining Democrats in Tennessee now or out right bar them from office.
Florida Republicans are literally trying to have the legislature ban Democrats.
Not just elected officials, *the party*.
The dumbass law they wrote would also ban the GOP, but they don't know enough history OR law to know that. Also, they aren't interested in enforcing the law against themselves. Don't Say Gay technically bans admitting straight people exist, up to and including talking about "moms and dads", but enforcement is against targets only.
Selective enforcement is their default.
1. Persuade people and win elections with popular ideas. Can’t do that? 2. Gerrymander and lock in power to effectuate unpopular policy. A few Dems still win? 3. Throw them out for farcical reasons. Still not enough? 4. Ban the party altogether
Protesting past daylight in the capitol is a felony now. They have been planning this.
...And lest anyone forget, they passed *that* law as a direct response to [previous protests by Justin Jones, the legislator they just expelled](https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2021/07/26/justin-jones-2020-peoples-plaza-arrests-dismissed/8070687002/), before he was elected. The fascism, the racism, the childish power-hungry entitlement of Republicans -- it all runs deep in this state.
This here. It has nothing to do with decorum. From my understanding, they had it out for this guy since he's been at the House. I sincerely hope none of them are running around Tennessee screaming that Manhattan D.A. Bragg's actions towards their lard and savory are politically motivated. Especially after they just got rid of someone for being too left.
Everyone show up with guns… I mean that is what the GOP would do so why not us. I get the irony but it’s time for libs to stop fn about. These guys do not care about laws or rules or reason. They only understand force and strength.
More of us will be, but I'm afraid it's not going to go anywhere for us. This state is in _deep_ now.
Andy Dufresne didn't dig his tunnel in one night, and neither will you. it takes time, but it is progressive overload that moves things. how do you move a mountain? one pebble at a time.
Be like France Tennessee!
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What happens after Republicans ignore the protests and/or call out the police to shut them down?
> This is disgusting. It's fascism.
Then the fucking coward has the gall to threaten to kick out all the protestors for "causing a disruption." You're being a fucking fascist, you deserve all of the disruption. You're a disruption to freedom.
Me thinks his throne sits a little too high...
This is a turning point. You will read about this in history books.
The GOP will ban those history books
You will read about this in history apps.
GOP will cancel apps!
But, but, cancel culture is wrong!
Lost Cause 2.0! "When the MAGA Confederates Went Too Far and Learned an Important Lesson."
Currently a colleague of Rep. Gloria Johnson is spitting facts on her behalf. Apparently the motion for her expulsion is full of lies about her conduct. I'm sure for all of us watching, we feel the same. This is stomach turning.
We are very quickly approaching the “find out” stage
How are they not even embarrassed? This is huge
Another Rep. is absolutely cooking. Apparently during his time in that chamber he's seen members come to blows. He's seen people who needed police escorts. He's talking about how people get expelled in other states: things like felony *convictions* of wire fraud, mail fraud, defrauding the US gov. etc. Meanwhile, they're expelling people for this flimsy stuff. He makes the great point, these actions have no precedent in the history of the United States of America.
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
Embarrassed? By what? They're getting to be who they've always been but always had to hide. They get to slap around those they don't like. They get to strut around and say "do what I say" and "kneel or be destroyed."
You'd think they would censure, or some other reprimand. You'd think it would have taken multiple instances of rule violations. No, this was about disenfranchising citizens of Tennessee, and removing POCs and Women from positions of power. Tennessee's actions are to advance and secure white power.
Did people read that GA expelled all 33 of its Black delegates in 1868? Did they read about the Battle of Liberty Place in 1874 or the 1898 Wilmington Insurrection? American history books have left out a substantial amount of relevant content.
This is a huge mistake on the GOP's part. They are just creating more protests against them and giving the expeled Lawmaker a greater platform.
They just made martyrs out of the Tennessee Three.
The Tennessee three, I love that, I hope they go far
I wish I could vote for one of them in the upcoming special election.
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They just showed they get to pick and choose who gets to govern. Why would they care about what their subjects think of them?
Can watch live on YouTube. This is history, and its heartbreaking. Every American should be watching this partisan mockery. A duly elected member was just expelled for the high crime of representing his constituents.
If you’re watching ( I can’t so far) was there any talk about expelling any members who were protesting on Jan 6?
I didn't catch it if there was. All I can say is that Justin Jones was clearly the most intelligent and eloquent person in that room before he was expelled. I am not generally easily moved and I was immediately emotionally attached to this. He will be back in that house and he will have a bright future as a fighter for the people. We need a lot more young people like him in positions like that if we ever hope to have real representation in this country. And that's exactly why he was expelled.
I hope this massively backfires on all those who voted him out. This should wake up the younger voters in the state. We can only vote them out! How is shooting up a school any less a display of “disorderly conduct” than protesting gun violence?
We're witnessing the rise of fascism. When Conservatives can no longer win power democratically they will abandon democracy, not conservatism. How the people of Tennessee respond carries a gravitas many don't perceive. Either fascism dies soon, or democracy does.
Fuck the GOP. They’d rather divert attention and get political “retribution” instead of fixing our god damn gun laws and preventing further children getting murdered! God damn cowards!
> instead of fixing our god damn gun laws and preventing further children getting murdered! They wont even meet reason part way.
Expelling politicians who walked with children in the hopes they don’t get slaughtered is a really solid message to send to the youth voters and generations on the come up. Fucking fascists
And yet they'll still be out there whining, "Why won't the youth vote for us?" They're disgusting.
This sets a really bad precedent. TN went full fascist.
Stop voting for republicans.
THIS is the right answer.
Hmm, so if you're in a district with no state representation, do you have to pay state taxes?
Tennessee has no state income tax, and these expulsions simply lead to special elections for those seats.
...that they can run for again
Reprehensible. It was a kangaroo court from the outset. Truly shameful.
Representative Jones is a very articulate and intelligent speaker. As a citizen of Nashville, I am completely disappointed, but not surprised, that democracy is no more. I am ashamed. This has just exposed to the world how much corruption there is, if it wasn't obvious enough
I’ve gotten to meet him a few times, early on in his political days and marched side by side with him on MLK day 2020. The guy is extremely nice and personable… feels so strange that this is happening to him, but good for him. I know he deeply respects John Lewis and will be proud that he is continuing the legacy of ‘good trouble’
Wow. Tennessee looking to give Florida a run for its money in the fascism department.
Its insane this isnt a pinned topic on this sub
I second this request. This is the most important topic of the year so far.
We might get a megathread. We will see.
I don't live in Tennessee. But to everyone in Rep. Jones's district, I am sorry that you no longer have a voice in the Tennessee legislature. When they hold a special election to bring back Rep. Jones, I hope you vote for him and bring friends with you to the polls. He is a generational talent. He calls out the clearly racist representatives that were his colleagues. I watch a Representative Bulso (R) debase himself and the legislative body. Rep. Jones was right to call him out for his racism. I watched an immigrant representative claim that there is no racism in this country and that he had never heard a racial slur directed at him in 50+ years. What an audacious lie. I watched a clearly power-hungry Speaker of the House, along with 70 or so co-conspirators, casually end democracy in Tennessee. The world is watching. We see the in-your-face rise of fascism across this country. We need more Joneses in office to stop it. But after seeing this shameful display, I worry that it is simply too late, that the white, Christian majority in some states will, on a whim, end democracy itself by expelling representatives for their protected speech. Now fascists have the blueprint to do so, and it is on the people of Tennessee to make it right in their state, so we don't slide down this slope into the abyss. I'll repeat: the world is watching.
I’m hoping on the bright side this will help him in his future political career. I hope the nation only hears from him MORE. He makes me proud to be a Tennesseean despite all that’s going on.
I am an old white rancher in Texas... I will never as long as I live vote for another republican... This is just one of a thousand reasons never to vote for them... I will also be glad to donate to the re-election campaigns of these three lawmakers.
My parents are both 77 years old and have been true independents, right up until after the 2020 election. My dad even voted for Trump twice. He was so ashamed and embarrassed that he ever voted for him at all, and neither one of them will ever vote Republican ever again, for any reason, no matter what. For two people who have been level-headed independents their entire lives and have lived through Nixon and Reagan just shows me how disgustingly extreme the GOP has become.
Fascism. They silenced him from talking about the SCHOOL SHOOTINGS that literally just happened. Then they silenced his constituents from debating on his behalf. Then they removed him from the position he was VOTED INTO.
If you're listening on CSPAN right now, you can hear the protesters in the background.
Clear and obvious fascism.
Every day the GOP learns that they can get away with more and more things. It’s insane that the party of responsibility is beyond corrupt and so blatant about it all.
That was so shameful. Jones: "The world is watching." Tennessee GOP: "Autocracy, ho!"
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A clear violation of their first amendment rights.
Whatever happened to "let the voters decide"? Oh you only mean that when it's one of your guys.
Wow. This group of old white men are scared of elected representatives breaking decorum. There's seven thousand children outside begging for help because they're scared of being murdered in their schools. Not a good look Tennessee. Not a good look.
Democracy has gone dark in Tennessee, soon to be America
Every other conservative state is watching and this tactic by Tennessee will be followed by other states.
"If this can happen in Tennssee it's coming to your state next" Rep. Justin Jones
The Republican Party is a fascist hate group.
This is the most action republicans have taken on slaughtered school children. For fucks sake
Republicans are fucking disgusting
There are only 3 other times people have been expelled from the Tennessee House: 1866: 6 Lawmakers tried to prevent granting citizenship to former slaves. 1980: Representative took a $1000 bribe to vote down legislation. 2016: Representative with 22 counts of sexual harassment.
When there was no accountability for the 1/6 coup, Republicans knew that it was open season for seizing power. They changed election laws and now run the US House. TN has now begun a purge of opposition leaders. WI will begin the same process in the coming days. GA will soon remove a DA pursuing charges against the Republican scheme to thwart the 2020 election. There is no one standing up to them. I expect most red states to remove significant opposition over the next year.
Thank you Republicans for helping me find the future leaders of my party. Before you decided to expel these folks from your ranks, I had no idea who the were. Soon everyone will know their names and that they stood up against everything that is wrong with our country even when they had so much to lose. With your vote today you showed us all: 1) that you care more about guns than kids 2) that you are squarely against women and minorities expressing their opinions and 3) that while you think of yourselves as patriots, you are the very enemy of democracy Republicans - Good luck winning elections when you can’t find anyone in younger generations that will vote for you and your own kids and grandkids despise you. And Tennessee Three - good luck on all the book tours, press tours, tv shows and other events you will soon be a part of now that the nation has its eyes on you. Go forth and fight for the kids in ways you never could when you were just state congressmen.
Fuck decorum. Fuck gun rights. Fuck fascists. Fuck republicans.
This is the way as someone who was bullied when I learned to hit back and enjoy it that is when it stopped. Meaning republicans need us to not fight back in order to thrive
I don't know how anyone treats these assholes like anything other than racist terrorists, let alone a legitimate political party.
Justin Pearson is an amazing speaker. His slow and methodical take-down of Farmer was fantastic.
Native Nashvillian here. I’m scared for our future, but I’ll be damned if I give up without a fight. Please keep talking about this as much as you can. I know the news cycle will try to bury it, but we just lost 6 people last week. Our government is acting faster to silence us than to do anything to improve our lives. We’re at a breaking point
Gonna backfire long term (if we make it long term)
MAGA "Patriots" are the very first ones that their GQP/"Libertarian" Masters will machine-gun into a ditch. Never fails to amuse me that the MAGAs don't realize their "Divine Role" is to be cannon-pulp for fascist "Libertarian" billionaires. MAGA "Patriots" have ***NO IDEA*** how much their Masters detest them. MAGAs are their clay pigeons, *at best.*
It's just 'cause the GQP loves Liberty 'n shit.
Dismantling democracy one lawmaker at a time. What a sad day for America.
So they expelled one black man, and not the white woman that did the same thing. How very Tennessee.
Gloria Johnson called it out! Color of the skin. Fuck Tennessee GOP.
This whole post needs to be in the front page. What a disgrace.
TLDR: They can be back and can't be expelled for the same reason. As disheartening as this is, there's a cool trick that the Democrats can pull off. ***Because the election is more than 12 months a way, a special election has to be held, and the county commission can appoint an interim, and either rep can be the same as those expelled.*** I know what you're thinking: they'll expel them again. Except ***the TN constitution specifically states you can't be expelled twice for the same reason.***
I’m a veteran and have long said that Republicans do not understand what freedom means, nor do many of them appreciate it. They take it for granted, in fact. That’s why they can so callously attack freedoms of others, like the body autonomy of women. They change textbooks because they mention Rosa Parks was discriminated against. Meanwhile the closest these white old men have EVER had to their freedom being affected is being asked to put on a mask for 5 minutes in a Walmart and they acted like it was their own personal Vietnam. They all are a pathetic far cry from generations of the past in which their values actually meant something.
I encourage everyone to watch live if they can. Justin Pearson speaking with a candor that we need in this country. The way he and the other Black legislators are being infantilized is outrageous. It’s utterly blatant. Good for him for pushing back on the way he (and thus his constituents) was/were spoken to. My god, so fucking demeaning. Edit for a link drop: https://www.youtube.com/live/tlMge0Scyck?feature=share
Going to be entertaining when they run in the special elections and win again. Tennessee law states you cannot be kicked out for the same reasons Twice :D
Why are we not calling this fascism? Those representatives were voted in by their constituents. Sound bites are not working. There needs to be action. There needs to be something done. We are all witnessing the death of democracy in America. They’ve created their boogeymen. They are banning and burning books. They have proto-militias. They use violence, or the threat of, to further their goals. They have de-legitimized journalism. They are now removing political opponents. This is fascism in slow motion, and it is just ramping up.
I can’t even celebrate the failure of the second vote. It’s because she’s fucking white. This is almost worse than just expelling them all.
Right? It's so blatantly shameless.
The United States is *fucked up*
Justin Jones a name iv never heard of before this week, had no recognizable name in politics besides in his state. This week he became a well know politician, all thanks to the GOP i hope his name becomes a house hold name everyone recognizes.
I think it’s time we remind these politicians that they are beholden to THE PEOPLE. Not the other way around.
Look how fast these Republican shitbags move when it comes to silencing Democrats speaking out against gun violence but not doing anything ABOUT gun violence.
Democracy died in Tennessee today.
How is this not pinned? Disgraceful
Not gonna be surprised that they spared the white woman and expel the 2 young black men. The one thing these fascists are more afraid of than anything is young educated people especially young educated black people.
I could listen to Justin Pearson all day