Tennessean anger about how the state legislature responded to free speech Tennessee Three

'Ashamed to be a Tennessean': Nashville area readers against 'Tennessee Three' expulsion | Letters to the editor published in The Tennessean newspaper:

After the March 2023, mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Representatives Justin Jones, Gloria Johnson and Justin J. Pearson called for gun control reforms in a way that briefly disrupted the House proceedings at the state capitol. Jones, Johnson and Pearson became known as "The Tennessee Three".

Editor’s note: Hundreds of readers weighed in on the expulsion hearings of the “Tennessee Three” – the state House lawmakers who were accused of “disorderly behavior” for encouraging gun law reform protesters from the chamber’s floor. The vast majority of letter writers have condemned the Tennessee General Assembly’s action, including readers from throughout the world and across the United States. 

Absolute power corrupts absolutely

More than 135 years ago, the British politician and writer Lord Acton famously wrote that “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The truth of that maxim was on vivid display last Friday in the Tennessee House of Representatives in a shameful display of political cruelty and cowardice, which is to say political bullying. The State of Tennessee and that state of democracy across our great country deserve better.

Matthew Kenney, Clarksville (zip code 37040)

Ashamed to be a Tennessean

After 25 days of being away from Nashville, and catching up with the news of Tennessee, I am ashamed to live here. We have legislators that kick out elected legislators, take over an elected Metro council, legally carry guns to their offices, flip collective fingers to creed, gender, and persuasion. This isn’t America, this is what Tennessee has become right now.

Bill Tyler, Nashville (zip code 37221)

Sinking to a new moral low- Tennessee's Republican legislature blocked free speech for three elected legislators.

The Tennessee legislature has sunk to a new moral low. Following a deadly elementary school shooting, they offer up cheap and easy "thoughts and prayers" as opposed to real concrete solutions to keeping guns away from the mentally ill. Most egregiously, when three members stood with citizens to demand action, they elected to expel the two Black men involved. Their actions seriously call into question their fitness to hold office.

Michael Hinson, Antioch (zip code 37013)

Expulsion was over the top

The punishment is not proportional. Some of the Tennessee lawmakers are out of touch with what the people want. When Gloria runs again I will donate the maximum amount allowed to her campaign.

Chip Rayman, Knoxville TN

Result will be revival for state’s Democrats

Those two young men were voted out of the legislative body at the intersection of Hubris and Ignorance Avenues yesterday. I believe that this moronic act will very much help to revive a moribund TN Democratic party that has suffered from ineffective and uninspiring leadership for far too long. This may not create a tidal wave of resistance, but it will absolutely help the Democrats turn a corner and finally gain momentum and head in the right direction.

Tracy Edwards, Nashville (zip code 37146)

Disagree with the Speaker and you will be punished

I’m appalled at the conduct of the Tennessee House Speaker and his band of ultra-conservative followers. Are they just trying to make themselves look more ridiculous and authoritarian than usual?Cameron Sexton had a temper tantrum because someone wasn’t agreeing with him. We, who don’t agree with him on important issues (gun regulation, the right to make decisions about your own body, and free and fair elections for example) are tired of being silenced and left out of the conversation. The supermajority, who hold the views of a minority of Tennesseans on these issues, have been doing that for too long. They have bent the rules and the law to serve their own purposes, and those have little to do with protecting the people of Tennessee.

Ann White, Franklin Tennessee