Tennessee’s Republican-controlled House of Representatives has ousted two Democrats for their involvement in a gun control protest at the state legislature last week.
The demonstration followed the March 27 school shooting in Nashville, which killed six people, including three children.
Republicans, who hold a 75-23 majority in the House, voted to remove Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson.
Gloria Johnson, a third Democratic member who joined them on the floor of the legislature during the protest, was defeated by one vote.
Republican legislators Andrew Farmer, Gino Bulso, and Bud Hulsey introduced three resolutions on Monday to eject their Democratic colleagues, claiming they violated decorum by spearheading the protest.
Mr Jones was removed by a party-line vote of 72-25, while Mr Pearson was removed by a vote of 69-26. Ms Johnson, on the other hand, was spared when the vote to expel her was defeated 65-30.
Expulsion requires a total of 66 votes.
“What transpired today’s racial dynamic cannot be ignored. Two young black legislators are ejected, but one white woman is not. That is an assertion in and of itself “After the vote, Mr Pearson spoke to reporters.
President Joseph Biden condemned the proceedings, calling them “shocking, undemocratic, and unprecedented.”
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Former President Barack Obama slammed the decision as well, saying: “Our country was founded on nonviolent protest. No elected person should be fired just for speaking out, especially when doing so on behalf of our children.”
After the Civil War, just two Tennessee state lawmakers have been expelled by their peers: one in 1980 for requesting a bribe in exchange for delaying legislation, and another in 2016 after being accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women.
Both expulsions were approved by unanimous bipartisan votes.
The Democratic Party of Tennessee said that it was soliciting cash to support special elections for any of those who had been expelled.
Last week, three Democratic congressmen led protestors demanding stronger gun legislation.
Republicans accused the three of engaging in “disorderly behaviour” and “knowingly and willfully bringing disorder and disgrace to the House of Representatives by their individual and collective conduct” in resolutions calling for their expulsion.
