Photograph by Seth Herald/Seth Herald/Getty Photographs
The Tennessee Home of Representatives has lastly ousted two Democratic members, Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson for main the gun management demonstrations, and solely made manner for extra ire to be directed at Republicans for his or her controversial stance on the Covenant College Capturing that claimed the lives of three youngsters. As extra elevate their voice to assist the expelled members, many can’t assist however query Republicans’ hypocrisy by remembering how otherwise they handled controversial former Rep. David Byrd after he was accused of sexually abusing underage ladies.
Byrd represented the 71st district of the Tennessee Home of Representatives from 2015 to 2023, abandoning his profession because the basketball coach at Wayne County Excessive College. In 2018, three ladies got here ahead to accuse Byrd of inappropriate sexual conduct (by way of Tennessean) when he was the highschool basketball coach of the ladies’s staff. On the time, he was requested to resign by Home Speaker Beth Harwell following the allegations however was as an alternative made chair of the Home Training Administration Subcommittee.
Initially, Byrd didn’t refute any of the allegations, however when one of many ladies who made the accusations in opposition to him, recorded her dialog with him apologizing about one thing with out specifying what he’s sorry for, he issued a press release questioning the “motives” of his accusers. Quickly after he was re-elected in 2018. In 2019, amidst calls for for his expulsion, he promised that given Governor Invoice Lee’s request, he is not going to search re-election in 2020 however he went again on his phrase, filed for re-election, and gained in 2020 once more.
The truth that Jones and Pearson have been faraway from the Tennessee Home for preventing for a simply trigger hasn’t been sitting nicely with the plenty. Many have labeled it a blatant injustice and couldn’t assist however recall how Byrd was accepted with open arms by the Home whereas evaluating it to Jones and Pearson’s expulsion for really caring in regards to the lives of kids.
So TN Legislators stored this man, accused of molesting 3 HS ladies when he was a coach, caught on tape apologizing to one of many ladies, however fired the Black guys for speaking into bullhorn about gun violence? If Republicans need to shield our youngsters cease defending their abusers. pic.twitter.com/jdiuLSoQKy
— Mr. Newberger (@jeremynewberger) April 8, 2023
The TN GOP expelled two Democrats for talking out of flip whereas protesting in opposition to gun violence. Know who they didn’t expel? Tennessee Republican Rep. David Byrd who admitted to molesting three youngsters.
Speak about grooming youngsters.
— redwhiskeypete (@redwhiskeypete) April 8, 2023
Nonetheless ready for the Tennessee Republican occasion to expel David Byrd (R-Waynesboro) for sexually assaulting youngsters within the Seventies. pic.twitter.com/j59gncP1io
— eric jacobson (@ejacobson) April 8, 2023
It positively didn’t lend Republicans any credibility when Rep. Gloria Johnson, who was additionally part of their demonstrations however was not ousted, shared with CNN the explanation she was not expelled: “I’m a 60-year-old White girl, and they’re two younger Black males.”
Cool story. Now speak about David Byrd, who was a recognized baby molester protected by the Tennessee Home for years, and his “respect for colleagues or the establishment.” By no means sanctioned. By no means expelled. As a result of he’s a white male and a Republican.
— Matt 🍺⚾ (@SoxShark39) April 8, 2023
Why is David Byrd nonetheless in workplace? White privilege doesn’t exist proper.
— Knuckaballer_OG (@KnuckaballerOg) April 8, 2023
Meet Tennessee Republican rep David Byrd.
David used his place as a HS instructor to molest at the least 3 of his feminine college students. Not an issue for TN Republicans since he didn’t do it in drag.
It’s not like he’s a black man utilizing a bullhorn, proper?#DemCast #DemVoice1 #wtpBLUE pic.twitter.com/0RJhpplrei
— Scorched Earth Dem (@progavalanche) April 8, 2023
The outrage stemming from Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson’s expulsion has kicked up a storm and is at present ongoing, with many demanding their re-appointment. It stays to be seen whether or not the overwhelming assist of their favor will make a dent within the determination taken by the Tennessee Home of Representatives.