Shelby County Board of Commissioners Unanimously Reinstates State Rep. Justin Pearson, Cheers and Applause Follow Victory for Gun Control Advocates

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to reinstate state Rep. Justin Pearson, who was expelled by the GOP supermajority for joining protesters in support of gun control following a school shooting last month.

The vote to reinstate Pearson was met with cheers and applause from a packed crowd inside the County Administration Building. Pearson addressed the crowd, saying “You can’t expel our voice, and you sure can’t expel our fight.” He went on to say that the Republicans who instigated his removal failed to anticipate the nationwide backlash that their actions would engender.

Pearson’s reinstatement comes after a similar vote to reinstate fellow Tennessee House Democrat Justin Jones, who was also expelled for protesting with gun control advocates. Following his reinstatement, Pearson said it was time to get back to work.

“Democracy prevailed and the rule of law has won,” Pearson said. “Let’s get back to work!” He added that he plans to retake his seat this week.

The reinstatement of Pearson and Jones is a victory for gun control advocates, who have been pushing for stricter gun laws in the wake of the school shooting that left three kids and three adults dead last month. The vote to reinstate the two Democrats is a sign that the voices of those advocating for gun control will not be silenced.