Tennessee legislature expels two black Democrats for gun-control demonstration on house floor (1 Viewer)

[superchuck500]

A third white female Democrat that joined in the demonstration was not expelled (saved by a single vote).

The Republicans argue that the demonstration for gun control to protest the Nashville school shooting was so out of order that it compels the members’ expulsion.

I started a thread because this development is now about something different, not the gun debate.

The expulsion proceedings threatened to strip more than 200,000 Tennesseans of their elected representation and mark just the fourth time since the end of the Civil War in which the House ousted sitting lawmakers. No House member has ever been removed from elected office for simply violating decorum rules.

 

[MT15]

Evidently families of Covenant shooting victims were holding small paper signs identifying themselves and/or memorializing the family member they lost. So the TN GOP quickly outlawed holding up a piece of paper with writing on it in the gallery.

 

[GrandAdmiral]

Evidently families of Covenant shooting victims were holding small paper signs identifying themselves and/or memorializing the family member they lost. So the TN GOP quickly outlawed holding up a piece of paper with writing on it in the gallery.

You know what's unfortunate? They likely voted some of them into office.

 

[MT15]

You know what's unfortunate? They likely voted some of them into office.

Let’s hope they correct this at their earliest opportunity.

 

[Saintamaniac]

Let’s hope they correct this at their earliest opportunity.

Don't hold your breath waiting on that hope.

 

[MT15]

Don't hold your breath waiting on that hope.

Maybe, but I think some eyes have definitely been opened at that particular school and the church. Things are changing, in fits and starts, but it will happen.

 

[MT15]

TN GOP is looking for any little reason to kick people out of what are supposed to be public hearings. I don’t think they will escape unscathed from this. Kicking out grieving families-moms and grandmas-just isn’t a good look for them.

 

[MT15]

 

[cuddlemonkey]

Tennessee is rapidly moving toward a place where federal intervention may be needed.

 

[MT15]

A judge has ruled that their ban on small signs held in the gallery is a First Amendment violation

 

[MT15]

So the committee in the special session just voted to allow anyone with a permit to carry their gun onto school property. They think that’s the answer.

 

[Bigdaddysaints]

bring you guns, not papers are harmful and will result in being kicked out. smh

 

[CoolBrees]

Honest question -

When students turn 18, and get a permit, they are now allowed to bring a gun to school?

The USPS, Amazon, UPS and FedEx persons are now bringing a gun into school with them?

What the fork is wrong with these idiots?

 

[coldseat]

It should be mandatory that they allow guns on their Senate and House floor by any registered gun owner if they want to mandate that schools allow any registered gun owner to bring their guns to school. But they won't because those cowards don't really believe the rhetoric they spew and want to force on others. They just don't care about the kids in those schools.

Are they forcing their kids private schools to allow all registered gun owners carry guns? I think not.

 

[zztop]

GOP silences 'Tennessee Three' Democrat on House floor for day on 'out of order' rule; crowd erupts

Republican lawmakers had voted to silence a Democratic member of the so-called Tennessee Three during a House floor session after determining the young Black member violated newly enacted rules designed to punish disruptive members.

apnews.com

The vote to silence Jones prompted loud cries and chants that drowned out proceedings for several minutes even after the House speaker ordered the gallery to be cleared out.

Moments prior, Jones had been criticizing legislation that would have allowed more law enforcement officers in schools and began listing other resources that the state should be providing.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton had warned Jones not to stray off topic. Under new rules adopted by the GOP-dominant chamber last week, members can be silenced anywhere from a day to the rest of the year for not sticking to the bill being debated.

“What our schools need are mental health professionals,” Jones said. “We need funding for mental health, for counselors. We need to pay our teachers better. We don’t need more police in our schools.”

Sexton then ruled Jones out of order, setting up a vote on whether to quiet him for the rest of Monday’s session.

 

[cuddlemonkey]

GOP silences 'Tennessee Three' Democrat on House floor for day on 'out of order' rule; crowd erupts

Republican lawmakers had voted to silence a Democratic member of the so-called Tennessee Three during a House floor session after determining the young Black member violated newly enacted rules designed to punish disruptive members.

apnews.com

The vote to silence Jones prompted loud cries and chants that drowned out proceedings for several minutes even after the House speaker ordered the gallery to be cleared out.

Moments prior, Jones had been criticizing legislation that would have allowed more law enforcement officers in schools and began listing other resources that the state should be providing.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton had warned Jones not to stray off topic. Under new rules adopted by the GOP-dominant chamber last week, members can be silenced anywhere from a day to the rest of the year for not sticking to the bill being debated.

“What our schools need are mental health professionals,” Jones said. “We need funding for mental health, for counselors. We need to pay our teachers better. We don’t need more police in our schools.”

Sexton then ruled Jones out of order, setting up a vote on whether to quiet him for the rest of Monday’s session.

Tennessee has easily become the worst state in the union.

 

[coldseat]

GOP silences 'Tennessee Three' Democrat on House floor for day on 'out of order' rule; crowd erupts

Republican lawmakers had voted to silence a Democratic member of the so-called Tennessee Three during a House floor session after determining the young Black member violated newly enacted rules designed to punish disruptive members.

apnews.com

The vote to silence Jones prompted loud cries and chants that drowned out proceedings for several minutes even after the House speaker ordered the gallery to be cleared out.

Moments prior, Jones had been criticizing legislation that would have allowed more law enforcement officers in schools and began listing other resources that the state should be providing.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton had warned Jones not to stray off topic. Under new rules adopted by the GOP-dominant chamber last week, members can be silenced anywhere from a day to the rest of the year for not sticking to the bill being debated.

“What our schools need are mental health professionals,” Jones said. “We need funding for mental health, for counselors. We need to pay our teachers better. We don’t need more police in our schools.”

Sexton then ruled Jones out of order, setting up a vote on whether to quiet him for the rest of Monday’s session.

How is that law even legal? Isn't a violation of their first amendment rights? Does the state of Tennessee not have a speech and debate clause in their constitution?

It seems obvious that the law wouldn't stand up under judicial scrutiny.

 

[fooferdoggie]

How is that law even legal? Isn't a violation of their first amendment rights? Does the state of Tennessee not have a speech and debate clause in their constitution?

It seems obvious that the law wouldn't stand up under judicial scrutiny.

it seems free speech is only for trump.

 

[MT15]

How is that law even legal? Isn't a violation of their first amendment rights? Does the state of Tennessee not have a speech and debate clause in their constitution?

It seems obvious that the law wouldn't stand up under judicial scrutiny.

It’s a rule - and it seems it’s up to the Speaker how it is enforced. Hint: he plays heavy favorites with all the rules. The people of TN need to step up.



He objected to a bill by pointing out other needs for schools other than putting armed guards in them. The Speaker said he was “off-topic” but that seems extremely flimsy.