Summary
From the Associated Press:
Protests began in Tennessee after six people including three children were killed in a school shooting in Nashville last week. More than a thousand students in the area walked out of their schools Monday and marched to the state Capitol to call for stronger gun laws. Read the AP story to get the latest on events in Tennessee . NewsHour will have the story tonight and we will create a lesson this weekend. News wrap alternative : Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching! You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.In an extraordinary act of political retaliation, Tennessee Republicans on Thursday expelled two Democratic lawmakers from the state Legislature for their role in a protest calling for more gun control in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Nashville. A third Democrat was narrowly spared by a one-vote margin.
The split votes drew accusations of racism, with lawmakers ousting Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who are both Black, while Rep. Gloria Johnson, who is white, survived the vote on her expulsion. Republican leadership denied that race was a factor, however.
The visitors’ gallery exploded in screams and boos following the final vote. After sitting quietly for hours and hushing anyone who cried out during the proceedings, people broke into chants of “Shame!” and “Fascists!”
Five Facts
- Who are the Tennessee Three? Who got expelled and can no longer represent their districts despite being elected to do so? Who expelled them and what did they say was their reason?
- What event led to the recent protests in Tennessee which prompted the three lawmakers and others to protest in the Tennessee legislature?
- Where and When were votes on the three Tennessee lawmakers cast?
- How might the expulsion of the two lawmakers be a tipping point, especially to younger generations?
- Why are so many people outraged at what the Tennessee legislature has just done? Do you think something similar could happen in your state?
Focus Questions
What is your reaction to Rep. Justin Pearson and Rep. Justin Jones being expelled from the Tennessee Legislature? Do you feel motivated to become more civically engaged in your community as a result of events in Tennessee? Why or why not? Media Literacy : How do you think the news media should cover the fact that the two lawmakers who were expelled, Justin Pearson and Justin Jones, were both young Black men? Alternative : See, Think, Wonder : What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?For More
What students can do: Learn more! Watch NewsHour's video from Monday night interviewing Rep. Gloria Johnson, who was one of the three lawmakers who did not get expelled. Or read this story by The Intercept's Ken Klippenstein about how intelligent agencies are monitoring student gun reform protests.
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