It really is something, isn't it? A handful of Tennessee state representatives are in the process of being expelled for agreeing with kids who don't want to be killed in school. You can see why Republicans don't like that.
"Republicans in the Tennessee House of Representatives have introduced resolutions to expel three Democrats for what they are calling disorderly behavior. Those three Democrats approached the House podium in between bills last Thursday," Mika Brzezinski said.
"They chanted with protesters in the House Chamber gallery, calling for action on gun violence after six people were killed in a Nashville school shooting just days earlier. Because the lawmakers were not recognized to speak at the time, Republicans say they broke chamber rules. The Tennessee House speaker went as far as comparing their actions to the January 6th -- "
"Wait, wait, wait. I don't see any cops being beaten by Trump supporters. I don't see any Trump supporters defecating on the floor," Joe Scarborough interrupted.
"I don't see people running around screaming, looking for Nancy Pelosi or saying they're going to hang Mike Pence."
Scarborough wondered if the speakers ever criticized Trump over January 6. "Or is it more Republican hypocrisy?"
"They've been removed from their committee assignments. The final vote on whether to expel them is set for later today. Historic context on this controversial vote, only two members of the Tennessee House have been removed from office since the Civil War. They're trying to remove them," Brzezinski noted.
"One of three Tennessee lawmakers facing expulsion, Representative Justin Pearson. It seems you are being possibly expelled from an elected position because you practiced your free speech rights and maybe have broken some procedural rules in Tennessee. How unprecedented is this?"
"Yes, this is an unprecedented and historical moment in Tennessee and American history because myself, Representative Rivers, Representative Jones, went to the well of the House in a peaceful protest to listen to the people, the thousands of children and teenagers who came to our state capitol and demanded we do something about gun reform, that we do something about gun violence and the epidemic that is plaguing our communities," Pearson said.
"Instead of spending many hours and time and energy on helping us solve the problem that led to the shooting in Nashville, that has led to many shootings in our own communities of Memphis and Shelby County, instead of working on just legislation that actually helps to heal the pain that many children, parents and grandparents have come to our capitol about, the response has been to expel members who were exercising their First Amendment rights, to make sure that the people who were showing up, the families in the community, our constituents, in the galleries were heard."
Instead, he said, the conversation was cut short by the Speaker, "who called these children insurrectionists, who called parents who are mourning and grieving insurrectionists. Speaker Cameron Sexton was comparing the events of January 6th, where at least five people were killed, where dozens of police officers and law enforcement officers were beaten by people with pepper spray and batons that type of environment, he is comparing peaceful protesters, mostly children and teenagers who are saying, Tennessee state lawmakers, it is time for you to do something, it is time for you to act. We need to act on the epidemic of gun violence. We need to do it much sooner rather than later."
