Peaceful protests outside of the Capitol Building.
We are in a dangerous time in America, with more and more legislation being passed around the country that goes against the wishes of the people. Recently, six people were tragically killed in The Covenant School in Nashville Tennessee. Since then Bill Lee, the governor of Tennessee, has said on live TV that “criminals will just be criminals” when asked if he will sign a bill on harsher gun laws.
On April 3, 2023, thousands of students staged a peaceful protest and walkout to the capitol building in Nashville. The students held signs and chanted, “Save Our Kids,” and, “Thoughts and prayers are not enough.” Parkland Shooting Survivor, David Hogg, echoed the message on Twitter saying, “Students are DONE accepting that right now, it’s normal to go to school in fear.”
Representatives Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, and Justin Pearson, voiced their support for the peaceful protesters, urging their fellow house members to vote to pass gun laws in the wake of last week’s shooting. However, the events that happened after that are an active threat to democracy. Quickly afterwards, the three representatives were stripped of their committee responsibilities and lost access to the capital building as their ID’s were promptly turned off. Furthermore, a resolution was put forth to expel representatives Johnson, Jones, and Pearson.
Prominent advocates such as David Hogg and Olivia Julianna called on people to call the capital and urge this vote not to pass and to have the representatives be reinstated. As the other representatives tried to hold the vote to expel Johnson, Jones, and Pearson, the students went into the gallery loudly chanting “fascists.” Not only were the peaceful protesters forcefully removed, representative Justin Lafferty shoved Justin Jones on the house floor. As of April 4, 2023, no consequences have been issued for Lafferty. Unfortunately, the vote to expel the representatives will take place Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 9 a.m.
While this was going on, in Florida, there was a peaceful protest for abortion rights led by Nikki Fried and Senate Minority leader Lauren Book. They were both arrested along with fellow protesters.
Democracy is actively under attack every day in America. What is happening in Tennessee is just the beginning.
