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‘Kids Are Still in Body Bags’: Students Protest Tennessee House GOP for Refusing to Address Gun Violence After Nashville
More than a week after three nine-year-olds were gunned down, along with three adults at a Nashville elementary school, Republicans in the Tennessee state legislature continue to refuse to address gun violence, and dozens if not hundreds of students are currently protesting outside the House chamber.
Currently, Republican Speaker Cameron Sexton is ramming through a vote to expel three Democrats who one week ago supported protestors who interfered with House business as they protested in the wake of The Covenant Presbyterian School mass shooting.
Those Democrats, now known as the “Tennessee Three,” are Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, and Justin Pearson.
On Wednesday, students across the country walked out of classes to protest gun violence in response to the Nashville school massacre.
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The quickly-convened vote is being held amid a backdrop of students chanting so loudly it can be heard inside the chamber.
“You ban books, you ban drag — kids are still in body bags!” the students are chanting.
“YOU BAN BOOKS, YOU BAN DRAG— KIDS ARE STILL IN BODY BAGS.”
Prioritize what’s killing our kids: GUNS. #Nashville pic.twitter.com/07yAyHQESw
— March For Our Lives ☮️ (@AMarch4OurLives) April 6, 2023
In apparent response to Governor Bill Lee’s move to increase police and security guard presence in public schools, the students are also chanting, “Hey Reps listen: schools are not a prison!”
“HEY REPS LISTEN: SCHOOLS ARE NOT A PRISON!”
There is blood on your hands— Do your jobs. #Nashville pic.twitter.com/X41k5d2U9F
— March For Our Lives ☮️ (@AMarch4OurLives) April 6, 2023
Students are also protesting Speaker Sexton’s attempt to expel the three Democratic representatives who supported the protests calling for lawmakers to pass gun control legislation.
Who’s house? GEN-Z’S HOUSE.
NOW: In the TN State Capitol in #Nashville, students FROM ALL OVER THE STATE gather and chant “FREE THE TENNESSEE THREE” and “YOU ARE FASCIST”, as State Reps. enter the House Floor.
THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE. #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/PqwLgasGBT
— March For Our Lives ☮️ (@AMarch4OurLives) April 6, 2023
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