State Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) on Tuesday punished House Democrats for their protests during last week’s special session on congressional redistricting by removing them from their committee assignments.
Sexton writes that the demonstrations were “aimed at disrupting the democratic and legislative process and creating disorder on the House floor,” and sent individual letters to lawmakers to inform them of their removal from “all standing committees and subcommittees.”
Amid fierce Capitol protests, Memphis loses majority-Black congressional district and Republicans gain midterms advantage in quick special session
Those demonstrations included members linking arms in the well and exiting the House chambers together after disruptions in the gallery and throughout the chamber by protesters with noisemakers. Sexton alleges that the gallery included “paid protestors” who were working with Democratic representatives to aid in the disruption.
State Reps. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) and Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) were in the gallery while it was cleared of protesters, including Pearson's brother KeShaun Pearson, who was arrested. Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) also burned a small printed image of a Confederate flag in the rotunda.
House Minority Leader Karen Camper (D-Memphis) calls the Democrats’ removal “one of the most troubling abuses of power this legislature has seen in recent memory.”
“Let’s be clear about what is happening here," writes Camper in a release. "This is not about decorum. This is not about rules. This is about power and control."
“When Democrats stand up, speak out, and expose what is happening in this chamber, the response from this supermajority is retaliation. ... If standing up for democracy, fair representation, and the people of Tennessee comes with punishment from those in power, then we will endure it with our heads held high. We are hurt. We are disappointed. But we are not intimidated. And no committee assignment will stop us from fighting for democracy, voting rights, and the people of Tennessee.”
Other lawmakers took to social media in response to the punishment, voicing defiance and poking fun at the post-session punishment.
“Zero regrets," writes Rep. Gabby Salinas (D-Memphis). "I would do it again. Our voting power will always be worth the fight." Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) simply writes, “Zero fucks.”
“This move strips nearly 2 million Tennesseans from the representation they deserve in TN sate leg,” says Pearson.
“This will not deter us from the fights ahead, but instead strengthen our resolve to keep pushing,” Jones writes.
“LOLLLLLLLLLLL the Agriculture Committee was really going to stifle my summer plans,” Behn writes. “I was proud to stand with [Tennessee Democrats] last week in opposition to the GOP supermajority’s unconstitutional and illegal power grab.”
“Sir, session is over," says Rep. Torrey Harris (D-Memphis). "Those committees have been closed. But alright.”
Similar protests also occurred in the Senate, where Democrats walked to the well before exiting in protest. Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) also stood on her desk with a sheet that read “No Jim Crow 2.0” and “Stop the TN Steal.”
Though Lt. Gov. Randy McNally issued a statement that day condemning Oliver’s actions specifically, he has not taken any action against her or other Senate Democrats at this time.
A spokesperson for McNally says he "is currently reviewing and considering several possible actions he can take against those who participated in the blatant violation of civility and decorum during the special session."
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
