(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Reactions to the full frontal fascist assault by the GOP in Tennessee [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-04-08 The expulsion of two of Tennessee’s young Black representatives is yet another step in the march towards fascism by the modern GOP. These are the abominable actions of a party that knows it cannot win fair elections anymore, this is a party that needs a rabid clueless base of supporters fed on a constant diet of red meat, this is a party that thrives on preaching racism, bigotry, anger, hatred and anti-science, this is a party that yearns for a Putin-style oligarchy rather than an American Democracy. But the American people will not stand for it. Many Americans ignore politics and don’t vote, they are too busy trying to get an education or making ends meet in an economy dominated by billionaires, their monopolistic powers and their twisted visions for society. They are waking up to the reality that the GOP is no longer a normal institution; it is run by folks whose values are increasingly unAmerican. The Abortion rights decision by SCOTUS galvanized Democratic voters, esp. young ones, in recent elections. Actions like these by the GOP (along with their war on education, libraries, women, LGBTQ, healthcare, voting rights, ...) will generate a forceful reaction; it is also our collective responsibility to make sure it happens. Let’s take a look at some reactions to the craven act by the GOP in TN this week. x Two of Tennessee’s youngest Black representatives, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, were expelled from the House days after interrupting debate by leading protesters in a call for stricter gun laws. Rep. Gloria Johnson, who is white, survived the move. https://t.co/JTARsMZQkb pic.twitter.com/Cg6TE2kTVk — The New York Times (@nytimes) April 7, 2023 President Biden speaking forcefully on the issue and lending support to the two reps. and the Democratic party in TN. x Earlier, I spoke to Reps Jones, Pearson, and Johnson to thank them for their leadership and courage in the face of a blatant disregard of our nation’s democratic values. Our country needs to take action on gun violence — to do that we need more voices like theirs speaking out. pic.twitter.com/oQl9jQSOy1 — President Biden (@POTUS) April 7, 2023 VP Harris made a personal very visible visit to TN - x Today, I stood with parents, students, and the Tennessee Three. They won't be silenced and their demands for gun reform must be heard. In Congress and in state legislatures around our nation, leaders must have the courage to act. pic.twitter.com/j39Z0tyjLs — Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 8, 2023 Her speech was fiery and to the point - x BREAKING: After Kamala Harris gave this tremendous speech yesterday in Tennesee, President Biden has just invited the heroic 'Tennessee Three' to the White House. Republicans keep trying to take cancel Americans' rights and Biden / Harris keep fighting for to bring them back.… pic.twitter.com/HDmSHAOEME — Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) April 8, 2023 We have seen over 7,000 students and young leaders go to the Capitol to talk about what John Lewis and Diane Nash talked about. The importance of freedom. The importance of liberty. The importance of respecting the right of all people to live where they receive dignity They chose to show courage in the face of extreme tragedy. A democracy allows for places where the people’s voice to be heard and honored and respected and they understood the importance, these three, of standing to say the people will not be silenced. President Obama with his wisdom, which will reach millions of voters - x What happened in Tennessee is the latest example of a broader erosion of civility and democratic norms. Silencing those who disagree with us is a sign of weakness, not strength, and it won’t lead to progress. — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 7, 2023 Hillary Clinton - x We don't have to put up with these shockingly anti-democratic actions that deny voters' voices and aim to cut off the progress we need. You can stand with expelled Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson by donating to their re-election campaigns here: https://t.co/Q62sPcrn8F — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 7, 2023 AOC puts the finger on racism - x AOC: I think this is about the fascist takeover of our State Houses that Republicans have invested in over the last several decades. This is about disenfranchising Democrats in states where there are extreme levels of voter suppression. It was deeply about racism pic.twitter.com/lKNBLA1HEA — Acyn (@Acyn) April 8, 2023 Sen. John Fetterman calling is bullshit. x It’s plain bullshit that the Tennessee GOP expelled both @BrotherJones_ & @JustinJPearson from the House chamber. But they can still run for, and win, the seats they were expelled from. This gross, anti-democratic power grab can’t stand. Donate now 👇 https://t.co/7sM3DqAC1l — John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) April 7, 2023 Rep. Steve Cohen from TN on the disgraceful act by the TN GOP - x I served for 24 years in the TN State Senate—in the same building that was on so many TV screens today. I was proud of my service, but what we’ve witnessed today under the leadership of the TN GOP was a disgrace to our entire state. I spoke more about it with @NicolleWallace. pic.twitter.com/U15zHfHJOB — Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) April 6, 2023 Please share this video — it is powerful symbol of who we are and how we will win. x Republicans think that they won last night. They did NOT win! Here's a video of a 'Covenant Mom' embracing expelled Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson. - Make sure this video goes viral. - Make sure everyone knows what this man stood for and what Republicans stood against. -… pic.twitter.com/EY0tcbWh6D — Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) April 7, 2023 Young people are taking notice and speaking up - x Holy shit. This is Tennessee right now — the day after Republicans expelled Justin Jones & Justin Pearson. Young people are pissed off. Change is coming like we’ve never seen before. Republicans messed with the wrong generation. Gen Z will save us. pic.twitter.com/PcOz7yT2Zw — Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) April 7, 2023 The GOP is totally out of touch. Let’s make them irrelevant. x What is happening with Texas and in Tennessee is the greatest radicalization event for younger generations. They are being told their votes don't matter and that a small minority gets to dictate their rights. These Republicans have no idea what's coming. They will be irrelevant. pic.twitter.com/SNUdf27e1k — Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) April 7, 2023 They will be back, more vocal than before. And this time the entire nation will hear them. x Next Step: Let’s get @brotherjones_ back in the House. Urge Metro Nashville Council to reappoint him. Several CMs have already pledged a yes vote. The world is watching who votes No.#TennesseeThree pic.twitter.com/ftT4qRrIeB — Senator Charlane Oliver (@CharlaneOliver) April 6, 2023 What exactly did the TN GOP accomplish? They energized Democratic voters around the country. x BREAKING: The Tennessee GOP's expulsion vote is already backfiring big time, as a majority of Nashville’s city council members say they’ll vote to send @brotherjones_ back to the state Capitol as soon as Monday. 👏👏#TennesseeThree pic.twitter.com/tbat1FXbS5 — Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) April 7, 2023 Gerrymandering is how these vile GOP reps. win in these red states. We have to keep fighting them in the courts. x Just got off the phone w @hendrellremus, chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party. Yesterday's expulsions were vile. But there's a path to fight back. The maps creating GOP supermajorities in TN could soon be struck down—which would put many seats in play.https://t.co/oTucVBDSS8 — Ben Wikler (@benwikler) April 7, 2023 Let’s lend our voices and also our dollars. Lord knows the GOP has plenty of billionaire sugar-daddies to fund them. x Time to stand up for Tennessee. I’m committing $10,000 to the TN Dem Party. We can’t stop with defending Justin Pearson and Justin Jones. We have to defeat these authoritarian Republicans. Who is with me? Every dollar counts for @tndp. https://t.co/HjAaec8g7E — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 7, 2023 Yes, the future is Blue - x As disappointing as the events in Tennessee were this week, I'm encouraged by the amount of young voters getting involved in the process, and EXCITED to see 2 new leaders in our party, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who will go on to do BIG things. THE FUTURE IS BLUE.💙 — BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) April 8, 2023 Let’s all seize the moment and lend a hand to push the GOP and its sickness into the dustbin of history. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/4/8/2162799/-Reactions-to-the-full-frontal-GOP-fascism-in-Tennessee Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/