Justin Jones’ exile from the Tennessee House of Representatives lasted four days, meaning he didn’t miss a House session. Jones and his compatriot, Justin Pearson, were expelled by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives for leading a demonstration on the House floor calling for the implementation of gun control legislation.
The protest was in response to a mass shooting at a Nashville school that left six people dead.
Justin Jones and his sister were raised in East Bay, California by their mother, Christin
Justin Jones writes on his campaign website that he was born in Oakland, California, the son of Christine. He does not mention the name of his father. However, the website claims that Justin is “the grandson of working-class black parents from Chicago’s South Side and Filipino immigrants who immigrated to California.”
Justin adds that Christine raised him and his sister in the East Bay while she attended nursing school. He continues: “Growing up, her family, especially her two grandmothers, taught her the importance of community involvement, caring for the environment, and spirituality.”
After civil rights leader Dr. Ernest Rip Patton died in August 2021, Justin posted a moving tribute to him, referring to Dr. Ernest as his ‘honorary grandfather.’ Added Justin: “There aren’t enough words to describe who Dr. Patton meant to me, the impact he had on my life and the ways he showed up time and time again.”
In an interview in morning editionJones said that youth and race were the reasons he and Pearson were thrown out of the house, a view shared by most of his supporters. Jones stated:
“We are the two youngest black legislators. I’m 27, Rep. Pearson is 28, so we represent the voices of our generation. And race, definitely. And I think Rep. Johnson said it, when she didn’t get kicked out and I got kicked out, those were the first two cases that were heard, the media asked and she said, ‘I think it’s because of skin color.’
Republican Gloria Johnson, a white woman, narrowly evaded ouster. Republican Representative Brian Richey said CNN‘s The Lead that Race had nothing to do with Jones’ removal. “[It] it had nothing to do with the color of his skin,” he said. “I respect all three and their constituents who voted for them. I felt they should stay.”
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn