A GoFundMe, an open letter, and a viral video that some say constitute “assault” against a Nashville lawmaker are swirling online in the wake of a gun-violence protests at the Tennessee Capitol and a move to expel some Democratic lawmakers.
All of it follows the April 27th shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School last week that left three children and three adults dead. A massive protest brought hundreds to the Capitol the following Thursday.
On the House floor that day, Reps. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis), Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville), and Justin Jones (D-Nashville) supported the protesters. During the legislative session, Jones spoke through a megaphone holding a sign that read “protect kids, not guns.” The three then moved to the Speaker’s well and “began shouting without recognition” and ”proceeded to disrupt the proceedings” from 10:50 a.m. to 11:42 a.m., according to a House resolution.
Republicans filed three resolutions Monday to expel Pearson, Johnson, and Jones — the now-called “Tennessee Three” — from the state House of Representatives. The three were stripped of their committee assignments, and access to the garage, doors, and elevators at their office buildings.
This brought hundreds more to the Capitol Monday to protest with some yelling “fascists, fascists!” at Republicans from the House gallery and many more to yell “Fuck Bill Lee!” outside the building.
A viral Twitter video from Jones (below) shows the fracas inside the House Monday. In it, Jones films Rep. Justin Lafferty (R-Knoxville). As he closes in on Lafferty to apparently film what is on his phone, Lafferty turns, Jones’ phone camera moves erratically, and someone can be heard saying, “hey, get your hand off of me!” Jones posted the video at 8: 30 p.m. Monday. So far, the video has been viewed nearly 5 million times.
The video prompted numerous responses like these:
House members are expected to vote on the expulsions Thursday. Many online organized a GoFundMe Monday evening to help with expect legal fees to fight the move. As of Tuesday morning, the fund raised $10,537 of its goal of $25,000.
“Democracy is at stake due to the extremely unfair and unconstitutional behavior of [House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville)],” wrote donor Amanda McDowell. “He should be the one being ejected, although we all know hell has a better chance of freezing over first.
“The [Tennessee] Three should be commended for actually caring about their constituents and the children of this state. They ran for office to serve the people, and it truly shows. They have my gratitude and full support.”
Some urged Twitter users to sign a digital open letter to their leaders in the legislature. The letter pulls no punches, callings Republicans’ actions “shameful,” and warning that “elections will be coming soon.”
”You all should take this opportunity to make Tennesseans feel better instead of putting armed guards in public schools that you refuse to properly fund,” reads the letter. “Expelling these Democrats will make you all the infamous Republicans who tried to squash democracy in Tennessee.”
Finally, some news reporters on Twitter reminded users that the state GOP refused to vote to expel Rep. David Byrd (R-Waynesboro) in 2019 after allegations surfaced that he had inappropriate sexual contact with teen girls in the 1980s.
The resolution to expel him was sponsored by Johnson, who now faces expulsion for her part in the gun protests.
