Hundreds of gun control protesters showed up at the Tennessee State Capitol this morning to demand lawmakers pass legislation in response to the shooting which happened Monday.
WATCH: Thousands of protesters stand outside of Tennessee’s State Capitol standing up for gun control laws.
This is a beautiful sight to see. pic.twitter.com/jvq0GHmfxR
— PoliticsVerse 🇺🇸 (@PoliticsVerse) March 30, 2023
The protesters made their way inside and began chanting.
At the Capitol, protestors lined the hallways and chanted at the state’s Republican-dominated Legislature as they filed in to begin taking up bills for the first time since the shooting.
Chants of “Save our children!” echoed noisily in the hallways between the state Senate and House chambers, with protesters setting up shop inside and outside the Capitol. Some silently filled the Senate chamber’s gallery, including children who held signs reading “I’m nine” — a reference to the age of the three kids who died in Monday’s attack. Most protesters were removed from the gallery after some began yelling down at the lawmakers, “Children are dead!”
Protesters have filed up most of the second floor of Tennessee’s Capitol. The state House and Senate are planning to hold their regularly scheduled floor sessions this morning. pic.twitter.com/KYHlRFqQJF
— Adam Friedman (@friedmanadam5) March 30, 2023
There was one moment when the protesters got a little out of hand. This happened as some lawmakers were crossing the gallery to a bathroom, surrounded by state troopers. At one point the troopers grabbed a couple of teens who had locked arms and sort of dragged them along. Then they went back into the crowd and pulled him out. But after a brief discussion they released him. Notice they did this before the crowd started chanting “Give him back!”
Oh Tennessee. What is happening? https://t.co/IEMQ66SF0F
— Laura Tells the Truth (@LauraTellsTruth) March 30, 2023
That seems to be as close as things came to a scuffle. There are a bunch of people on Twitter calling this an insurrection or a “transsurrection” or just generaly comparing it to Jan. 6. But ultimately no one got hurt and no one was arrested.
However, there was an actual disruption inside the chamber by several lawmakers who supported the protest. I think the guy with the bullhorn is Rep. Justin Jones and he hands it off to Rep. Justin Pearson (who has a bullhorn in his Twitter photo) but that’s a guess because you can’t make out their faces very well from this distance.
⚡️🔥 HAPPENING NOW: Democrats @brotherjones_ @Justinjpearson @VoteGloriaJ have taken over the well and disrupted session. pic.twitter.com/QVXxfVnHFn
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) March 30, 2023
At least one state rep was not impressed with this display. He is correct that the House floor is supposed to operate under rules of decorum which don’t include taking over the space with a bullhorn.
This foolishness happened at your State Capitol today. 3 radical Democrats disrupted and took over proceedings as we were trying to vote. The House floor is no place for activist.
After a brief disruption, we were back to voting. https://t.co/Lv36sRBPIW— Rep. Jason Zachary (@JasonZacharyTN) March 30, 2023
Eventually the disrupters were confronted. I’m not sure who the man is who is shouting in this clip but he clearly told Reps. Jones and Pearson to knock-it-off. The woman in the blue jacket is Democratic caucus floor leader Karen Camper who is also also not having it. I can’t quite hear what she’s saying but it sounds like there might be some four-letter words in there. She also points the way for the disruptive reps. to leave the floor.
Significant confrontation here from Democratic leadership, @brotherjones_ and @Justinjpearson and Leader Karen Camper.
House galleries are now being cleared. pic.twitter.com/3ON5klyFgK
— Vivian Jones (@Vivian_E_Jones) March 30, 2023
The Republican caucus chairman had earlier tweeted about the protest and had supported their right to be heard even if he didn’t agree with their specific demands for gun control. But he felt a bit differently after the disruption of the floor.
Unfortunately this didn’t age well. Regardless of your convictions on any policy, rules of decorum in the Capitol should always be followed to ensure that every voice is properly heard.
A constitutionally elected official should never charge to the front with bull horns and… https://t.co/RPNRpEuXqM
— Rep. Jeremy Faison (@JeremyFaison4TN) March 30, 2023
The House went into recess and the gallery was cleared of protesters. Then a while later the House went back into session. Needless to say, no new gun laws were passed.
Update: Didn’t see this clip yesterday. This is repulsive. Audrey Hale was not a victim.
"Seven Fingers, Seven Victims" — TN Capitol Protesters Appear to Include Trans Shooter Among the Victims pic.twitter.com/vCd1tAYwWb
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) March 31, 2023
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