n Monday, Tennessee General Assembly GOP lawmakers filed three resolutions, seeking the respective expulsions of Reps. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, Justin Jones of Nashville, and Justin Pearson of Memphis, each of whom was already removed from their committee assignments after last week’s demonstrations. These draconian and unprecedented measures were described by the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators as ‘morally bankrupt’ and by caucus chairman and Democratic Rep. Sam McKenzie as ‘unconstitutional’.
Fisk University is an institution steeped in social justice and the commitment to a better tomorrow. Nonviolent protest and making our voices heard has always been critical to moving society forward. Fisk stands with these representatives and the need to end gun violence and secure legislative reforms.
Tomorrow there will be a vote as to the actions against these three Representatives whose protest, while breaking “several rules of decorum and procedure on the House floor” per Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, was exclusively aimed at preventing further gun violence after last’s week devastating tragedy. At a time when the importance of the vote as the voice of the people is increasingly at risk, it is vital to speak out and speak up against actions that threaten our safety and our future.
To this end, we strongly encourage the Fisk family to make your collective voices heard.
Please contact your representatives in the Tennessee legislature at: https://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/.