Tennessee House expels two Democrats over gun control protest

US President Joe Biden calls the vote 'shocking, undemocratic and without precedent'

Justin Jones carries his name tag after he was expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives for his role in a gun control demonstration. Reuters

Two Democratic legislators in Tennessee were fired on Thursday over their role in a protest demanding Republican colleagues take action on gun reform after last week's primary school shooting in Nashville.

The state's Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted 72 to 25 to expel Justin Jones, a 27-year-old local activist, who was elected in 2022.

It also voted to expel Justin Pearson, also 27, in a 69-26 vote.

“We are losing our democracy. This is not normal. This is not OK," Mr Pearson told reporters.

Mr Jones defended his actions and called the vote an “attempt to expel the voice of the people from the People's House”.

He added that it was a “very dark day for Tennessee”.

Thousands of people braved foul weather and descended on the Tennessee statehouse in Nashville in a show of solidarity with Mr Jones, Mr Pearson and their Democratic colleague, Gloria Johnson.

Ms Johnson narrowly avoided being expelled by the House. Representatives voted 65 to 30 to fire her, failing to win the two-thirds majority required.

As a white woman, she was asked about the expulsion of her black colleague Mr Jones.

"It might have to do with the colour of our skin," she said.

Mr Jones, Ms Johnson and Mr Pearson were chastised by their Republican colleagues over their role in a gun control demonstration after the shooting at a Christian primary school in Nashville that left three children and three staff members dead.

US President Joe Biden tweeted that the move by Tennessee Republicans was "shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent".

"Three kids and three officials gunned down in yet another mass shooting," Mr Biden said.

"And what are GOP officials focused on? Punishing lawmakers who joined thousands of peaceful protesters calling for action."

Former president, Barack Obama, also voiced his concern.

"This nation was built on peaceful protest. No elected official should lose their job simply for raising their voice," he said.

The crowd, whose chants could be heard within the chamber as legislators voted on a series of bills, was not enough to sway Republicans.

“Across Tennessee and across America, our kids are paying the price for the actions of Republican lawmakers who continue to refuse to take action on stronger gun laws," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

The three state representatives encouraged protesters after they entered the state capitol building last week.

They also led chants and demanded their colleagues pass stricter gun laws. Their actions forced a temporary pause in legislative proceedings.

That appears to have been enough to instigate the historic vote.

Last year, the state's Senate expelled Democrat Katrina Robinson after she was convicted of using about $3,400 in federal grant money on wedding expenses instead of nursing school.

Before that case, politicians had last removed a House member in 2016 when the chamber voted 70-2 to remove Republican Jeremy Durham after an attorney general’s investigation found evidence of improper sexual contact with at least 22 women during his four years in office.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Nashville school shooting leaves three children and three adults dead — in pictures

A child weeps while on the bus leaving The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, following a mass shooting on March 27. Reuters

School pupils hold hands after getting off a bus to meet their parents at the reunification site. Reuters

Nashville resident Addison says a prayer across the street from the school. Reuters

Damage to windows caused by the shooter, identified as Audrey Hale, who fired at police arriving on the scene. EPA

Children gather outside the school building. AFP

A surveillance video still shows Hale, 28, entering the school carrying weapons. Reuters

A group prays with a child at the Woodmont Baptist Church after the shooting. AP

US President Joe Biden speaks about the school shooting in Nashville during an SBA Women's Business Summit in the White House on March 27. AP

A police chaplain watches as children from The Covenant School, a private Christian school, are taken to the Woodmont Baptist Church. AP

School buses take children to Woodmont Baptist Church to be reunited with their families. Getty / AFP

Pupils hold hands as they are taken to the church after the shooting. AP

Metro Nashville Police officers block the entrance to the school. The Tennessean via AP

Pupils hold hands as they are taken to the church after the shooting. AP

Metro Nashville Police cars escort the school buses to the church where pupils will be reunited with their parents. AP

A police officer walks by an entrance to The Covenant School. AP

Metro Nashville Police officers outside the school on March 27. AP

Police officers secure the entrance to The Covenant School. Reuters

Police gather near the school in Nashville, Tennessee. The Tennessean via AP

Police lead children away from the school after the shooting. AP

Nashville Police respond to the shooting. Metro Nashville Police Department / AFP