MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WTVF) — After being expelled from the legislature, Justin Pearson is set to return.
The Memphis Democrat found his way back to his seat after the Shelby County Commission reappointed him on Wednesday.
House Democrats told NewsChannel 5 they expect the proper paperwork to be transported to Nashville in order to swear in Pearson Thursday morning before the 9 a.m. House floor session.
Pearson was one of two members expelled last Thursday after creating a disruption on the House floor to stand up for gun reform after The Covenant School shooting. Rep. Justin Jones has already made his return to the capitol.
Jones, D-Nashville, and Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, were stripped of House committees Monday. Pearson had just been seated and had no committee assignments. Additionally, the trio had their ID badges to get into the legislature turned off.
No damage was done to the Tennessee capitol nor were there any arrests made on the day that Jones, Pearson and Johnson led the crowd from the House floor in the middle of the session with chants.
Rep. Jones had a bullhorn. On that day, hundreds arrived at the capitol to try to talk to lawmakers about gun legislation in light of The Covenant School shooting. In the mass shooting, six people — including three 9-year-olds — died at the hand of a 28-year-old Nashvillian.
Pearson hasn't been a lawmaker long or able to do much this legislative session because of his appointment then a special-election.
It was, after all, a protest that got the Tennessee Three in trouble in the first place, so it should come as no surprise the trio led chants again Wednesday in Memphis. "This is what Democracy looks like," said Pearson, as he led supporters in a chant before the vote. "We’re showing the United States of America and the Republicans in Tennessee that the movement is still alive."
The Tennessee Three and their supporters marched, with local and national media in tow, from the National Civil Rights Museum to the Shelby County Commission.
"People power just sent us back to serve the people of District 86," said Pearson, after the vote. "They tried to kill democracy, they tried to expel the people’s choice and the people’s voice. And they awakened a sleeping giant."
This isn't the end of the saga for Jones and Pearson. Both will have to run and win a special election for their seat, later this year.
Chris Davis contributed to this report.
