Tennessee becomes new front in battle for American democracy
Tennessee has become a new front in the battle for the future of American democracy after Republicans expelled two Black lawmakers from the state Legislature for their part in a protest urging passage of gun-control measures NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee has become a new front in the battle for the future of American democracy after Republicans expelled two Black lawmakers from the state Legislature for their part in a protest urging passage of gun-control measures. In separate votes on Thursday, the GOP supermajority expelled Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, a move leaving about 140,000 voters in primarily Black districts in Nashville and Memphis with no representation in the Tennessee House. Kevin Webb, a 53-year-old teacher from Pearson's district, said removing him “for such a small infraction” is “classic America.” “There’s been bias against Black individuals in this country for 500 years,” Webb said. "What makes us think that it’s going to stop all of a sudden?” Pears...