Justin Pearson. (Photo by Seth Herald/Getty Images) NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The second of two Black Democrats who were kicked out of the Republican-led Tennessee House followed his colleague back to work at the Capitol on Thursday, a week after their expulsion for participating in a gun control protest propelled them into the national spotlight.State Rep.
Justin Pearson, of Memphis, was sworn in Thursday outside the Statehouse. The day before, Shelby County commissioners unanimously voted to reinstate him."Yes indeed, happy resurrection day," Pearson said Thursday morning as he signed paperwork for his return."There will be a new building of this building, with a foundation built on love," Pearson said during a fiery speech outside the Capitol after being sworn in. "With pillars of justice rising up.
With rafters of courage covering us. With doors that are open to everybody in the state of Tennessee. Not just rich somebodies, but everybody.
Not just straight somebodies, but everybody. Not just Republican somebodies, but everybody."After delivering his speech to supporters and reporters outside the Capitol, Pearson walked into the House chamber as debate on bills was underway.