Politics

A wild two weeks in Tennessee culminates with reinstatement of expelled lawmakers

By: John Partipilo - April 14, 2023 4:10 pm

Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, walks from the Metro Nashville Courthouse to the Tennessee Capitol for his swearing-in ceremony on April 12, 2023. Jones was reappointed by the Metro Council less than a week after being expelled for taking part in a gun safety rally. Metro Councilmember Zulfat Suara is holding Jones’s left arm. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Days after Democratic Reps. Justin Jones of Nashville and Justin Pearson of Memphis were expelled from the House of Representatives for leading a protest for safe gun laws, both men were reinstated to their seats: Jones was reappointed by the Metro Nashville Council on Monday, walking from the Historic Nashville Courthouse to the Tennessee Capitol, where he was sworn in for the second time since January.

Similarly, Pearson won reappointment from the Shelby County Commission on Wednesday, although four Republican members failed to attend the meeting. Pearson was sworn in on Thursday, accompanied by his parents and supporters, and returned to the House.

The reinstatements capped a wild two weeks in the Legislature that began after six people, including three children, were killed by a shooter on March 27 at Covenant School in Nashville. Crowds of protesters, many students, have descended on the Capitol and have packed the House chambers to advocate for gun safety.

Photojournalist John Partipilo has documented the events, including both reinstatements.

Rep. Justin Jones, surrounded by supporters, in Metro Council Chambers at the moment council members unanimously confirmed his reappointment to Tennessee House District 57. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Davidson County Chancellor L'Ashea L. Myles administers the oath of office to Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, on the steps of the Tennessee Capitol on April 10, 2023. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Rep. Justin Jones acknowledges the crowd on Legislative Plaza. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Rep. Justin Jones prepares to enter the Tennessee House Chambers on Monday, April 10, 2023. On the left is Metro Councilmember Zulfat Suara and at right is Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Nashville. Johnson escaped expulsion on April 6 by one vote. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Jones in the House: Rep. Justin Jones returns to the chamber he was expelled from four days earlier. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Rep. Justin Pearson ascends the steps of the Tennessee Capitol on Thursday, arm-in-arm with his fiancee, Oceana Gilliam, left, and Rep. Justin Jones, right. (Photo: John Partipilo)

An emotional Rep. Justin Pearson embraces his mother, Kimberly Owens-Pearson, after being sworn into office on April 13, 2023. (Photo: John Partipilo)

A child poses with Rep. Justin Pearson for a self outside the Tennessee Capitol. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Rep. Justin Jones, accompanied by fiancee Oceana Gilliam and supporters, joyously dances his way through the Tennessee Capitol. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Arm-in-arm with Rep. Justin Jones, Rep. Justin Pearson heads back into the Tennessee Capitol on Thursday, April 13, 2023. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Surrounded by family, Rep. Justin Jones becomes emotional following his swearing-in ceremony on Thursday morning. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Students with the group "March for Our Lives" pack the Legislative Plaza for the swearing-in ceremony of Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville. (Photo: John Partipilo) — Students with the group “March for Our Lives” pack the Legislative Plaza for the swearing-in ceremony of Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville. (Photo: John Partipilo)

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John Partipilo

Working as a photojournalist for 40 years, Partipilo has won awards such as NPPA Best of Photojournalism and nominated for two Pulitzers. His photography has also been featured in national and international publications. Most importantly Partipilo’s work is about people — people in their different environments and people in their different stages of life. That’s the heart of his work. To him people are so important, because they all have a unique story.