Press Release

April 8, 2023

Contact: Christa Gassler

615-426-6367

info@rucodemwomen.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Democratic Women Condemn Expulsion of Elected Officials

Republicans use a racist and cynical ploy to silence the voices of children and constituents 

(Murfreesboro, Tennessee): A large delegation of members of the Rutherford County Democratic Women (RCDW) attended the April 6, 2023 session of the Tennessee State House of Representatives, in Nashville, to object to an Expulsion Resolution targeting Democratic Representatives Gloria Johnson (Knoxville), Justin Jones (Nashville), and Justin J. Pearson (Memphis).

RCDW believes the unjust removal of Representatives Jones and Pearson, who are both Black men, from their democratically and lawfully elected offices, was conducted unethically and without due process, and is a form of voter disenfranchisement and suppression by the Tennessee Republican Party.  

“We condemn this fascist action to expel two lawfully elected state representatives who engaged in a constitutionally protected and peaceful act of protest,” commented Christa Gassler, RCDW President. “The expulsions are an extremist Republican action designed to both distract us from the pressing need to enact sensible gun policies that will protect our children, and to disenfranchise thousands of Tennessee voters who elected the expelled Representatives.”

The Expulsion Resolution advanced without a formal inquiry into the incident. The House failed to gather witness statements, to verify the identity and authenticity of the video evidence, or to answer the fundamental question of whether or not the House was actually in session at the time of the Representatives’ protest. Expelling elected officials for taking action to amplify the voices of their constituents, and without due process, is a violation of their First Amendment rights and an egregious attack on democratic norms.

Annette Nelson, a Vice President of RCDW who attended the expulsion proceedings in the House chambers stated, “The hyperbolic claim that the Representatives’ simple act of protest amounted to an “insurrection” reflects the Republican party’s complete disconnect from the concerns of everyday Tennessee families who will not accept thoughts and prayers in lieu of sensible gun legislation and policy changes. We say enough: we do not want to have to send thoughts and prayers to more families of children sacrificed on the NRA altar, who have been shot dead while attending school.”

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ABOUT THE HEART OF THE PARTY: Rutherford County Democratic Women (RCDW) is an all volunteer, grassroots group that conducts service projects, community education, advocacy, and voter registration, working with community members and organizations to build together our shared future. We call on the community to support our work to preserve democratic norms by donating at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/rcdw

Photo: Some of the RuCo Democratic Women who attended the Capitol demonstrations and legislative session in Nashville on April 6, 2023, to protest the unjust expulsions of Tennessee Democratic Representatives for participating in gun control protests after the Covenant School mass shooting.