US vice president to meet expelled Black Democrats in Tennessee

By Betul Yuruk

NEW YORK (AA) - Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Nashville on Friday to meet two black Democratic lawmakers who were expelled from the Republican-controlled House of Representatives in the US state of Tennessee after they participated in a gun control protest.

Harris’ spokeswoman Kirsten Allen said the vice president will meet state lawmakers and young leaders who continue to demand action on gun reform.

The House on Thursday expelled Justin Jones and Justin Pearson after they participated in a gun control protest following last week's shooting at a school in Nashville, which killed six people, including three children.

Jones slammed the decision by the House saying: "What happened yesterday was a very sad day for democracy. The nation was able to see we don’t have democracy in Tennessee," in an interview with CNN.

A third lawmaker, Gloria Johnson, who is white, took part in the protest but was not expelled.

Johnson accused the Republicans of racism and said it "might have to do with the color of my skin" when asked why she was spared.

Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton denied accusations of racism in the decision.

The expulsions have been criticized by the national Democrats with President Joe Biden calling it "shocking and undemocratic."

"Rather than debating the merits of the issue, these Republican lawmakers have chosen to punish, silence, and expel duly-elected representatives of the people of Tennessee," he said.

Former President Barack Obama wrote on Twitter that it was a "sign of weakness."

"What happened in Tennessee is the latest example of a broader erosion of civility and democratic norms. Silencing those who disagree with us is a sign of weakness, not strength, and it won’t lead to progress," he said.