'Tennessee’s House expels 2 of 3 Democrats over guns protest'
Yesterday, Americans and the world got to see and hear for themselves what White supremacy looks like as practiced by legislators in state of Tennessee. That is hardly all we got to see and hear.
'In interviews, all three lawmakers spoke of how gun violence — and in some instanc…
'Tennessee’s House expels 2 of 3 Democrats over guns protest'
Yesterday, Americans and the world got to see and hear for themselves what White supremacy looks like as practiced by legislators in state of Tennessee. That is hardly all we got to see and hear.
'In interviews, all three lawmakers spoke of how gun violence — and in some instances, their personal experiences of it — had helped shape their paths to politics. Mr. Pearson recounted the pain of losing family members and a mentor to gun violence, and said the push for tighter restrictions on firearms “is personal when you lose your friends, when you lose loved ones.”
'Mr. Jones recalled attending his first protests after Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old Black teenager, was shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Florida. “This issue is something that has been a part of our generation,” he said. “This is a very personal issue.”
'Ms. Johnson recalled a shooting at Central High School in Knoxville that took place while she was still working as a teacher, and “the terror on the kids’ faces as they were running down that hill into my classroom.” (NYTimes)
'In the wake of a school shooting in Nashville that left six people dead, three Democratic lawmakers took to the floor of the Republican-controlled Tennessee House chamber last week to rally for stricter gun control.'(ManisteeNews)
'The Republicans who control state government, led by Gov. Bill Lee, have rejected the calls for tighter gun laws and have largely focused instead on toughening school security. The Tennessee House passed a bill on Thursday that would require schools to conduct annual drills, keep all entrance doors locked and install a mobile panic-alert system.' (NYTimes)
'The three Democratic lawmakers spoke out against the measure on Thursday, with Mr. Jones calling it a “white flag of surrender” that does not address the root causes of gun violence.' (NYTimes)
‘Thousands of people flocked to the Capitol to support Jones, Pearson and Johnson on Thursday, cheering and chanting outside the House chamber loudly enough to drown out the proceedings.’
‘The trio held hands as they walked onto the floor, and Pearson raised a fist during the Pledge of Allegiance.’
‘Offered a chance to defend himself before the vote, Jones said the GOP responded to the shooting with a different kind of attack.’
“We called for you all to ban assault weapons, and you respond with an assault on democracy,” he said.
‘The two expelled lawmakers may not be gone for long. County commissions in their districts get to pick replacements to serve until a special election can be scheduled, and they could opt to choose Jones and Pearson. The two also would be eligible to run in those races.’
‘Under the Tennessee Constitution, lawmakers cannot be expelled for the same offense twice.’
‘Jones said he did not intend to assimilate in order to be accepted. “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to make a change for my community,” he replied.’
“I’ll be out there with the people every week, demanding that you act, …' (ManisteeNews)
You are a blessing Ron. I will have gifting option for the Times again on the 17th of this month. So grateful for your generosity and recognition of the importance of spreading the work of journalists in the USA and beyond. The 'free-press': Democracy dies without it.
Fern I came here to look for your comment, synthesis- thank you. Do you you happen to have your own blog/newsletter I could follow as well? We need your insight in its own right, please consider.
Barbara, Thank you for your kind words. I lean heavily on the excellent journalists here and around the world. Democracy dies without the FREE PRESS (I'm sure I borrowed that line from another source), and I will post ways we can support it here in the US. Many newspapers that served local communities, cities and states were forced to fold has a result of high costs. Fox News and outlets on social media have infected the populace with propaganda and conspiracy theories. There are good news outlets online, such as Politico, Vox and Axios. As for blogs and newsletters, you can click on my pic to learn which I subscribe to. I know there are other very good ones as well. I don't have the ability you praise me for and believe that in addition to this excellent newsletter you will find others to enrich your eagerness to learn and spread the word. Cheers!
'Tennessee’s House expels 2 of 3 Democrats over guns protest'
Yesterday, Americans and the world got to see and hear for themselves what White supremacy looks like as practiced by legislators in state of Tennessee. That is hardly all we got to see and hear.
'In interviews, all three lawmakers spoke of how gun violence — and in some instances, their personal experiences of it — had helped shape their paths to politics. Mr. Pearson recounted the pain of losing family members and a mentor to gun violence, and said the push for tighter restrictions on firearms “is personal when you lose your friends, when you lose loved ones.”
'Mr. Jones recalled attending his first protests after Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old Black teenager, was shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Florida. “This issue is something that has been a part of our generation,” he said. “This is a very personal issue.”
'Ms. Johnson recalled a shooting at Central High School in Knoxville that took place while she was still working as a teacher, and “the terror on the kids’ faces as they were running down that hill into my classroom.” (NYTimes)
'In the wake of a school shooting in Nashville that left six people dead, three Democratic lawmakers took to the floor of the Republican-controlled Tennessee House chamber last week to rally for stricter gun control.'(ManisteeNews)
'The Republicans who control state government, led by Gov. Bill Lee, have rejected the calls for tighter gun laws and have largely focused instead on toughening school security. The Tennessee House passed a bill on Thursday that would require schools to conduct annual drills, keep all entrance doors locked and install a mobile panic-alert system.' (NYTimes)
'The three Democratic lawmakers spoke out against the measure on Thursday, with Mr. Jones calling it a “white flag of surrender” that does not address the root causes of gun violence.' (NYTimes)
‘Thousands of people flocked to the Capitol to support Jones, Pearson and Johnson on Thursday, cheering and chanting outside the House chamber loudly enough to drown out the proceedings.’
‘The trio held hands as they walked onto the floor, and Pearson raised a fist during the Pledge of Allegiance.’
‘Offered a chance to defend himself before the vote, Jones said the GOP responded to the shooting with a different kind of attack.’
“We called for you all to ban assault weapons, and you respond with an assault on democracy,” he said.
‘The two expelled lawmakers may not be gone for long. County commissions in their districts get to pick replacements to serve until a special election can be scheduled, and they could opt to choose Jones and Pearson. The two also would be eligible to run in those races.’
‘Under the Tennessee Constitution, lawmakers cannot be expelled for the same offense twice.’
‘Jones said he did not intend to assimilate in order to be accepted. “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to make a change for my community,” he replied.’
“I’ll be out there with the people every week, demanding that you act, …' (ManisteeNews)
Links to newspaper reports are below.
https://www.manisteenews.com/news/politics/article/gop-lawmakers-consider-expelling-democrats-over-17882052.php
(sorry for not have gifting option for NYTimes)
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/us/tennessee-house-democrats-expulsion-shooting-gun-control.html#:~:text=On%20Thursday%2C%20two%20of%20the,dramatic%20act%20of%20political%20retribution.
"sorry for not have gifting option for NYTimes)"
(It has come to my attention that the Gift Links are valid for two weeks.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/us/tennessee-house-democrats-expulsion-shooting-gun-control.html?unlocked_article_code=OfBIpd4YgR6UHlbbf0H0cr3nzNx6QJfUoEX9ON22nUY8tgMrfnsgF1YbSP-w-qPdK-8hxacZCQjD9sAmER05LrOswDWY_mn1JvAPgMOQXk0ibsY-sYKlI2tXCRiSY5ic6FR7mVrTiuWdOMTtbSq0M-7OnkXxxObxLdcqj65Z2uYNWILHjj8NdcmJeJyjdnl2DsBsbM43NVimeJ5ip9QFd1coJjth4MMuQZdlaQBzhPKJtUR2v19DFCgOXkE87jb1h39yTjTFnWOfopucVau93PYBmVRS0dlBeH831xdEpvfHudihwIZCEj_E3F9CX1t9O1v8QsCcjgtnxdrz1jUfXZ0zQpUxMvwbEdUZMbxkjA5CvSAPxcpJicNLZAU0&smid=url-share
You are a blessing Ron. I will have gifting option for the Times again on the 17th of this month. So grateful for your generosity and recognition of the importance of spreading the work of journalists in the USA and beyond. The 'free-press': Democracy dies without it.
Beat me to it, Ron. I have it all ready to go!
Fern I came here to look for your comment, synthesis- thank you. Do you you happen to have your own blog/newsletter I could follow as well? We need your insight in its own right, please consider.
Barbara, Thank you for your kind words. I lean heavily on the excellent journalists here and around the world. Democracy dies without the FREE PRESS (I'm sure I borrowed that line from another source), and I will post ways we can support it here in the US. Many newspapers that served local communities, cities and states were forced to fold has a result of high costs. Fox News and outlets on social media have infected the populace with propaganda and conspiracy theories. There are good news outlets online, such as Politico, Vox and Axios. As for blogs and newsletters, you can click on my pic to learn which I subscribe to. I know there are other very good ones as well. I don't have the ability you praise me for and believe that in addition to this excellent newsletter you will find others to enrich your eagerness to learn and spread the word. Cheers!