Last week, the Republican-controlled state legislature in Tennessee took the dramatic and unprecedented step of removing two Democratic lawmakers from office for allegedly violating the House's 'rules of decorum.'

State Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were removed from their elected positions for joining gun control advocates in their protests in the wake of the horrific Nashville shooting the week before. They weren't expelled for breaking the law. They were expelled for breaching the chamber's rules by speaking when they weren't recognized.

The vote to expel these two legislators was a clear attempt to shut down the urgent Call for Action on gun safety coming from young people and others in Tennessee — and to marginalize the voices of the largely Black communities that voted to send these two young leaders to represent them in Nashville.

Add your name to our petition today to stand with Justin Jones and Justin Pearson and all those standing up and speaking out for urgent, consequential action to end the killing and stop gun violence in our country.

Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have no shame in their decision to expel these two young Black lawmakers. They thought they could get away with it — but Tennesseans didn't let them! Just days after their expulsion both representatives were sent back to the Tennessee legislature by the people in their districts. And thanks to those Republican lawmakers in Tennessee, the eloquent and forceful voices of these two young legislators have now been heard far beyond the borders of the state of Tennessee!

In many ways it's a particularly heartwarming outcome. And one we can hope sends a warning to Republican lawmakers across the country. The tide is turning. It must turn. The killing in our streets must stop. Common-sense action on gun safety is a necessary and vital step to ending the daily carnage in our communities and saving lives.

Sign your name to show your support for Justin Jones and Justin Pearson and their calls for urgent and consequential action to address the epidemic of gun violence in our country.

Add Your Name

Thank you for raising your voice.

Chris

Van Hollen for Senate
10605 Concord St. Ste 202
Kensington, MD 20895
www.vanhollen.org