BREAKING NEWS
Watch Live: Kamala Harris Makes Surprise Nashville Trip to Meet With ‘Tennessee Three’ After GOP Expelled Black Dems
Vice President Kamala Harris touched down in Nashville Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours after House Republicans in Tennessee voted to expel two Black Democratic state representatives who had supported the 7000 citizen protestors outraged the GOP lawmakers had refused to address gun violence one week earlier in the wake of a school mass shooting. A third Democrat, a white woman who stood with the two men, narrowly escaped expulsion.
VP Harris will meet with all three Democrats who were targeted by state Republicans, former Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones, and Rep. Gloria Johnson. (Watch live, link below.)
Harris touched down at 4:00 PM local time, according to her press pool, and traveled to Fisk University to meet with Tennessee Democratic lawmakers, including the “Tennessee Three,” as well as community leaders.
.@VP is wheels down in Nashville, headed to meet with state legislators. pic.twitter.com/dAXtdg78zi
— Kirsten Allen (@KirstenAllen46) April 7, 2023
“Also present was at-large Metro Council member Zulfat Suara, who is among the council members planning to reappoint Justin Jones to the House as early as Monday,” The Tennessean reports.
Fisk University in Nashville holds a student rally in support of The Tennessee Three as Kamala Harris comes into town to meet with the three in private.
Stay with FOX 17 News for continuing coverage, and as always—check out the link in our bio for more.
PHOTO: @FOX17Kylie pic.twitter.com/i2hAGslb2A
— FoxNashville (@FOXNashville) April 7, 2023
“What happened yesterday sent the wrong message to people around the world,” Suara said. “We need to make sure what they (expelled lawmakers) did is not in vain. We need to continue to demand gun reform.”
Harris is also expected to meet with “the young people who led protests at the Tennessee Capitol for gun reform,” and make a push for gun control.
Hundreds gather inside of the Fisk Memorial Chapel for the “Tennessee 3” rally. @VP is expected to speak around 6pm tonight. pic.twitter.com/LNYC0vwlkP
— Danielle Jackson (@DJacksonTV) April 7, 2023
“Six people, including three children, were killed last week in a school shooting in Nashville,” VP Harris said Friday morning. “How did Republican lawmakers in Tennessee respond? By expelling their colleagues who stood with Tennesseans and said enough is enough. This is undemocratic and dangerous.”
One former U.S. Attorney stated was an illegal act and a violation of their First Amendment rights. A top elections attorney repeatedly since the two Democrats were expelled has urged the Dept. of Justice to investigate and even “remedy” the situation.
The Vice President’s visit comes on the one-year anniversary of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson being confirmed by the U.S. Senate, which she celebrated earlier Friday on social media.
One year ago today, I presided over the Senate vote for Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. pic.twitter.com/y9tovdWpTB
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 7, 2023
Today we’re celebrating a woman whose name the world now knows: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. She made history one year ago today when the Senate confirmed her nomination to become the first Black woman on the highest court in the land. pic.twitter.com/zS3T9Ss9Et
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 7, 2023
The Vice President’s surprise trip came after President Joe Biden released a statement denouncing the expulsion of the two Black Democrats.
The Washington Post’s Tyler Pager reports President Biden has also invited the Tennessee Three to the White House.
Watch Live on News Channel 5 (click on Breaking News Update) or watch live at WVLT here (click on red box that says “On Now: hARRIS”).
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.