Justin Pearson on the Tennessee Three at the DNC: Lift voices for gun control

Ahead of taking the Democratic National Convention stage on Thursday, Rep. Justin Pearson said the “Tennessee Three” will use their time to call for measures to end gun violence.

Pearson, D-Memphis, will speak Thursday night alongside Tennessee state Reps. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville. The trio rocketed to national prominence after Republicans Tennessee’s state legislature sought to expel them in retribution for a gun control protest the three held on the House floor after the deadly Covenant School shooting in March 2023.

“We know the gun violence epidemic in our state and in our country is one of the most significant problems that we have to address, and Vice President Harris is and has shown herself to be a proven leader to help address this epidemic,” Pearson said in an interview Wednesday, noting that Harris personally traveled to Nashville following the expulsion proceedings, and is leading the first-ever federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

“It is just so imperative in this moment and in this time that we elevate this work – this extraordinary leader – in nomination to the presidency,” Pearson said.

After a successful organizing effort to cancel construction of a crude oil pipeline through poor black neighborhoods in south Memphis, Pearson was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in January 2023 in a special election in Memphis following the death of state Rep. Barbara Cooper. He was sworn into office in February, weeks before the shooting, protest and expulsion proceedings.

Following the controversy, the trio traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House.

“I never imagined being here in this way. I'm just grateful to District 86, grateful to God, and to our family for this opportunity," Pearson said. "Serving my district and my community is the greatest honor of my life."

He said the trio will seek to “lift up the voices of the folks in our communities who can speak no more.”

“It still matters that we always, always prioritize the voices of marginalized communities, the voices of those who've been victims of gun violence, the voices of those who are being mistreated and degraded by those of power, and lift them up so they know that they are important,” Pearson said.

Pearson took the spotlight on Tuesday alongside Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Hendrell Remus during the state delegate roll call.

“It is breathtaking to be in this huge convention with tens of thousands of people who are all committed and dedicated to electing Vice President Harris and Tim Walz and preserving the best of what our country can be,” Pearson said.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Justin Pearson on the Tennessee Three at the DNC: Lift voices for gun control