The second Tennessee Democrat — who was ousted for his role in the storming of the state capitol earlier this month — was unanimously reappointed by a Memphis commission Wednesday.
Justin Pearson was expelled last week in a vote of 69-26 for breaking decorum rules after he joined fellow Democrats and gun-control protesters who stormed into the state capitol, demanding more gun restrictions following the mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville. Hundreds of Pearson’s supporters joined him in Memphis as city officials voted 7-0 to send him back to the state House.
“The message for all the people in Nashville who decided to expel us: You can’t expel hope. You can’t expel justice,” Pearson said at the meeting, according to the Associated Press. “You can’t expel our voice. And you sure can’t expel our fight.”
After being reappointed, Pearson promised that the events of the past week are only the beginning. “They’ve awakened a sleeping giant,” he said.
Pearson was accused of using a “fake Southern preacher voice” as his fame grew nationwide following his expulsion. Video resurfaced online of Pearson back in his college days, pitching a moderate brand of politics absent the fiery rhetoric and dramatic, preacher-like delivery the Memphis lawmaker has employed since his ouster from the statehouse.
Tennessee Representative Justin J. Pearson is a total fraud
Pearson in 2016 vs 2023: pic.twitter.com/iPLXFFJ6r2
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 11, 2023
Pearson’s fellow Democrat Justin Jones — who admitted to sneaking a bullhorn into the chamber under his coat, after which he led chants with people sitting in the balcony — was unanimously reappointed on Monday by the Nashville Metropolitan Council.
Democrats on the floor and protesters in the gallery were emotional when the vote unfolded to expel the Democrat members. Some screamed that the Republicans were turning Tennessee into a “fascist state.” After the expulsion of Pearson, observers in the gallery started screaming at Republicans with at least one protester shedding tears and screaming “shame.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP
The two lawmakers, along with their fellow Democrat Gloria Johnson who was nearly expelled as well, were joined by Vice President Kamala Harris at Fisk University in Nashville last week. The vice president’s visit showcased her solidarity with the expelled Democrats as she called on Tennessee to pass more gun control. Harris did not meet with any of the families of the Covenant School shooting victims during her time in Nashville.
Leif Le Mahieu contributed to this report.