Memphis Rep. Justin J. Pearson was sworn in — again. Pearson was expelled earlier this year for leading a gun reform protest on the Tennessee House floor.
Rose Gilbert WPLN NewsRegina Clark
The Equity Alliance held a march from the Tennessee State Library to Legislative Plaza, culminating with Pearson’s swearing in ceremony.
It was a lively scene: There were drums, chants and supporters from several local activist organizations, including Black Voters Matter, Mothers Over Murder and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition VOTES. Dozens of people waited in line to enter the Capitol to witness the ceremony, including Regina Clark, an activist with Planned Parenthood who came up from Memphis.
“They need to see our faces. They need to know that we mean it and that we’re supporting our our legislators that we have elected in. We’re supporting Justin,” she said.
Rep. Pearson was sworn in wearing a brightly-colored dashiki over his dress shirt and tie.
Pearson said he knows that the conservative supermajority in the state legislature will make it difficult to pass meaningful gun reform, but he also said he was encouraged by all of the demonstrators who showed up.
“We have to gather. We have to build that power, and we have to organize, mobilize and be activated to make justice happen,” he said. “And that’s not just legislators. That’s people who march, right? People who show up and are committed to creating change. That’s how this happens.”
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