Justin Pearson Reinstated to Tennessee House

Earlier today, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted to reinstate Justin Pearson to the Tennessee House.

Pearson, who represents Memphis, will return in the interim—until an official election can be held.

Pearson was expelled after a gun control protest on the House floor. His fellow ousted Rep. Justin Jones was reinstated on Monday by Nashville’s Council. The third member of the protest, Rep. Gloria Johnson—who is white—was not expelled.

“When we went to the well of the House myself, Rep. (Gloria) Johnson and Rep. (Justin) Jones, we said we have an allegiance to a people, people who are tired of business as usual," Pearson stated.

“We do not speak alone. We speak together. We fight together. So a message for all the people in Nashville who decided to expel us: You can’t expel hope. You can't expel our voice. You sure can’t expel our fight.”

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