Heidi Li FeldmanGreat reporting on #JustinPearson and #JustinJones the #Tennessee state legislators Republicans tried to oust. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/08/03/justin-pearson-justin-jones-tennessee-christianity-politics/ #Mastodon4Justins
If you helped with #Mastodon4Justins, this photo is for you. Greetings from #ACS National Convention from me and #JustinPearson.
Tomorrow, the Shelby County Commission will vote on whether to appoint #JustinPearson to the vacancy created when the Republican-controlled state legislature expelled him. This news article points out how unusual such an expulsion is. https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-justin-pearson-reinstated-tennessee-expelled-black-lawmaker-20230411-n7sv4dqrpvb5nkjoyn3u24acgi-story.html
You can support Pearson via the #Mastodon4Justins fundraiser on Act Blue at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mastodon4justins. #Tennessee 1/2
@JimRI Thanks! By doing so, you have added a new state to the list of where donations to the #Mastodon4Justins fundraiser come from.
On the day of another mass shooting, in #Louisville, the #Nashville council has voted #JustinJones to the vacancy created when #Tennessee state legislature ejected him over a decorum breach when he joined protestors demanding tighter gun laws. Jones, along with #JustinPearson can be powerhouses for such laws, especially if we give them the resources. This is why I created #Mastodon4Justins, where you can donate to their campaigns, via ActBlue, in a 50/50 split: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mastodon4justins
From The Tennessean:
""This afternoon's vote is unprecedented," Mayor John Cooper said.... "Voters in District 52 elected [#JustinJones] to be their voice at the statehouse, and that voice was taken away this past week. So let's give them their voice back. I call on this body to vote unanimously, right now, to do just that."
"The council unanimously voted to suspend the rules to nominate Jones to the vacant seat. ...
Jones won the vote 36-0...." https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/10/justin-jones-expulsion-updates-rally-planned-outside-metro-nashville-council/70099458007/
#Mastodon4Justins
""This afternoon's vote is unprecedented," Mayor John Cooper said.... "Voters in District 52 elected [#JustinJones] to be their voice at the statehouse, and that voice was taken away this past week. So let's give them their voice back. I call on this body to vote unanimously, right now, to do just that."
"The council unanimously voted to suspend the rules to nominate Jones to the vacant seat. ...
Jones won the vote 36-0...." https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/10/justin-jones-expulsion-updates-rally-planned-outside-metro-nashville-council/70099458007/
#Mastodon4Justins
This is why we should all support #JustinJones and #JustinPearson :
"Minutes before the vote, Jones entered the council chamber and jumped onto a bench and started addressing his supporters. He called the House speaker an “extremist” while vowing the younger generation would eventually succeed in enacting tougher gun laws."
https://wapo.st/43jjp3Q (gift access)
House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R—Portland), and Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison (R—Cosby), have said: “Tennessee’s constitution provides a pathway back for expulsion. Should any expelled member be reappointed, we will welcome them. Like everyone else, they are expected to follow the rules of the House as well as state law." https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/jones-reappointed-to-tennessee-house-seat-by-metro-council/
#JustinJones appointed to fill the temporary vacancy created by the #Tennessee legislature's expulsion of him. He will have to run for the seat when a general election is held to fill it. https://fox17.com/news/local/nashville-middle-tennessee-google-inews-facebook-metro-council-votes-to-reinstate-ousted-rep-justin-jones
Midday update #Mastodon4Justins
$6234 raised from 126 contributions. Current goal is $8000.
Link to give: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mastodon4justins
Donations are split 50/50 and routed directly to the campaigns of the #TwoJustins. By law, only U.S. citizens and green card holders may donate.
Contributions in any amount, as well as boosts of the effort, are a way to fight for democracy, to be anti-racist, and to demand laws to control gun violence.