Tennessee Republicans expel Democrats from state house over guns protest

The visitors’ gallery exploded in screams and boos following the final vote

Tennessee Republicans expelled two Democratic politicians from the state Legislature for their role in a protest calling for more gun control in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Nashville. A third Democrat was narrowly spared by a one-vote margin (George Walker IV/AP)

Tennessee Republicans expelled two Democratic politicians from the state Legislature for their role in a protest calling for more gun control in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Nashville. A third Democrat was narrowly spared by a one-vote margin.

The split votes drew accusations of racism, with politicians ousting representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who are both black, while representative Gloria Johnson, who is white, survived the vote on her expulsion. Republican leadership denied that race was a factor, however.