Kamlager-Dove, Cohen Introduce Resolution Condemning the Expulsion of Black Tennessee Lawmakers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 13, 2023
Media Contact: Maya Valentine | maya.valentine@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) and Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) introduced a resolution condemning the expulsion of Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson from the Tennessee Legislature.
On April 7th, Tennessee Republicans moved to expel both Rep. Jones and Rep. Pearson, two Black men, while keeping Rep. Gloria Johnson, a white woman, in her seat. With this resolution, Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove and Congressman Cohen join in denouncing these actions by the Republican-controlled Tennessee legislature as racist and a threat to democracy in the United States.
“Expelling Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson follows a gross pattern in our country of disenfranchising Black voices and Black voters,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “It is no coincidence that of the three lawmakers, only the two Black men were stripped of their agency in their legislative body. We cannot allow the racial undertones of this incident to go unnoticed, and we must call out acts of racism that threaten our democracy when they occur. That is why I joined Congressman Cohen in introducing this resolution today, to denounce the actions by Republicans in Tennessee and make a statement to our country that Congress should not turn a blind eye to malicious retaliation against our constitutional rights to free speech and assembly.”
“Every single one of us should be alarmed by the gun violence in our country that continues to claim the lives of our children at unprecedented rates. Instead, Republicans would rather distract from this real American problem and silence those who dare to call them out on their hypocrisy,” continued Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “What Tennessee Republicans did was not only out of step with the overwhelming majority of Americans who demand action on gun violence, but reflects an assault on the principles of democracy and free speech that we hold dear. I stand with the Tennessee Three and will continue to support gun reform while opposing racist, anti-democratic efforts like these.”
“The expulsion of two Black Representatives by the Tennessee General Assembly was an immoral and disproportionate action in response to two legislators who passionately spoke out in the heightened emotions following the recent Covenant school shooting," said Congressman Cohen. "These legislators were treated unfairly because they wanted to address gun violence and address common-sense gun reform that was being demanded by their constituents. While I am encouraged to see the unjustified removal of Justin Pearson and Justin Jones advance the cause of gun control, I believe we must ensure that their expulsion does not set a precedent. I am encouraged that both representatives have been reappointed and hope their temporary removal will galvanize all of us who know sensible solutions are possible and necessary.”
View the resolution text here.
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