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Expelled Tennessee lawmaker Justin Jones vows to return - but can he? Expelled Tennessee lawmaker Justin Jones vows to return - but can he?
(32 minutes later)
Watch: Expelled lawmaker Justin Jones tells the BBC "world should be shocked" Watch: Expelled lawmaker Justin Jones tells the BBC "the world should be shocked"
Watch: Expelled lawmaker Justin Jones tells the BBC "world should be shocked" Watch: Expelled lawmaker Justin Jones tells the BBC "the world should be shocked"
Expelled Tennessee lawmaker Justin Jones says he will seek re-election for his Nashville seat, calling his removal an attack on democracy.Expelled Tennessee lawmaker Justin Jones says he will seek re-election for his Nashville seat, calling his removal an attack on democracy.
Republicans voted to expel Mr Jones and his Democratic colleague Justin Pearson for leading a gun control protest from the House chamber on 30 March.Republicans voted to expel Mr Jones and his Democratic colleague Justin Pearson for leading a gun control protest from the House chamber on 30 March.
The extraordinary move to expel the lawmakers came one week after a shooting at a Nashville school.The extraordinary move to expel the lawmakers came one week after a shooting at a Nashville school.
Six people, including three young children, were killed.Six people, including three young children, were killed.
"It's very scary that this Republican supermajority has silenced us, has silenced our voters, for standing up," Mr Jones told the BBC. "We were calling for action so we can stop our young people and stop our children from being murdered and massacred.""It's very scary that this Republican supermajority has silenced us, has silenced our voters, for standing up," Mr Jones told the BBC. "We were calling for action so we can stop our young people and stop our children from being murdered and massacred."
Expulsion is extraordinary, but not permanentExpulsion is extraordinary, but not permanent
Mr Jones and Mr Pearson's absence from the House may be short-lived.Mr Jones and Mr Pearson's absence from the House may be short-lived.
Special elections will be held to fill the seats of both expelled members, meaning Mr Jones and Mr Pearson will be able to run again and potentially return to their seats.Special elections will be held to fill the seats of both expelled members, meaning Mr Jones and Mr Pearson will be able to run again and potentially return to their seats.
What to know about the Tennessee expulsions
Until then, local councils can appoint temporary representatives to hold the position until a special election is held.Until then, local councils can appoint temporary representatives to hold the position until a special election is held.
Most members of Nashville's Metro Council - the body responsible for appointing Mr Jones' replacement - have pledged to nominate Mr Jones as his former district's temporary representative. The council has called a vote for Monday afternoon.Most members of Nashville's Metro Council - the body responsible for appointing Mr Jones' replacement - have pledged to nominate Mr Jones as his former district's temporary representative. The council has called a vote for Monday afternoon.
Embattled Democrats Justin Pearson, Justin Jones and Gloria Johnson stand outside the statehouse after the expulsion voteEmbattled Democrats Justin Pearson, Justin Jones and Gloria Johnson stand outside the statehouse after the expulsion vote
What did the lawmakers do to be expelled?What did the lawmakers do to be expelled?
Demonstrators have flooded the Tennessee capitol demanding gun reform in the days since a shooter opened fire at the Covenant School in Nashville on 27 March, killing six people - including three children.Demonstrators have flooded the Tennessee capitol demanding gun reform in the days since a shooter opened fire at the Covenant School in Nashville on 27 March, killing six people - including three children.
Last week, Mr Jones, 27, and Mr Pearson, 28, along with fellow Democrat Gloria Johnson, 60, walked to the front of the chamber in solidarity with protestors gathered in the House gallery. Ms Johnson stood alongside Mr Jones and Mr Pearson as they led chants from the lectern on the House floor through a bullhorn.Last week, Mr Jones, 27, and Mr Pearson, 28, along with fellow Democrat Gloria Johnson, 60, walked to the front of the chamber in solidarity with protestors gathered in the House gallery. Ms Johnson stood alongside Mr Jones and Mr Pearson as they led chants from the lectern on the House floor through a bullhorn.
The actions enraged House Republicans, who soon brought a resolution on expulsion, saying the trio had brought "disorder and dishonour to the House". On Thursday, some Republican members said the Democrats' actions amounted to an insurrection, with House Speaker Cameron Sexton, a Republican, comparing the incident to the deadly assault on the US Capitol Building in Washington DC on 6 January 2020.The actions enraged House Republicans, who soon brought a resolution on expulsion, saying the trio had brought "disorder and dishonour to the House". On Thursday, some Republican members said the Democrats' actions amounted to an insurrection, with House Speaker Cameron Sexton, a Republican, comparing the incident to the deadly assault on the US Capitol Building in Washington DC on 6 January 2020.
Protests, speeches and expulsions - watch our guide to a historic week in Tennessee
Protests, speeches and expulsions - watch our guide to a historic week in Tennessee
"What they did today was equivalent, at least equivalent, maybe worse depending on how you look at it, to doing an insurrection in the Capitol," he said."What they did today was equivalent, at least equivalent, maybe worse depending on how you look at it, to doing an insurrection in the Capitol," he said.
Why wasn't Gloria Johnson expelled?Why wasn't Gloria Johnson expelled?
Ms Johnson was the only one of the trio to survive her expulsion vote, keeping her seat by just one ballot. Asked why she alone was not removed from her seat, Ms Johnson, who is white, told reporters "it might have to do with the colour of our skin". Mr Jones and Mr Pearson are both black.Ms Johnson was the only one of the trio to survive her expulsion vote, keeping her seat by just one ballot. Asked why she alone was not removed from her seat, Ms Johnson, who is white, told reporters "it might have to do with the colour of our skin". Mr Jones and Mr Pearson are both black.
The so-called Tennessee Three have brought nationwide attention to the state. On Thursday, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre called the expulsion vote "shocking" and "undemocratic".The so-called Tennessee Three have brought nationwide attention to the state. On Thursday, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre called the expulsion vote "shocking" and "undemocratic".
On Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Nashville, US media said, to call for gun control legislation and meet with both Mr Jones and Mr Pearson. On Friday, Vice-President Kamala Harris will visit Nashville, US media said, to call for gun control legislation and meet with both Mr Jones and Mr Pearson.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
US gun violenceUS gun violence
TennesseeTennessee
United StatesUnited States